Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2007
354 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her views on increasing the age limit for BSE testing from 30 to 36 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22282/07]
View answerHaving the age limit for BSE testing increased has been a priority of mine since my appointment as Minister and I and my officials have pushed the case at every opportunity. I have long taken the view that, given the significant decline in the incidence of the disease across the European Union in recent years, not least in Ireland, and the control measures in place, an increase in the age limit is entirely justified.
I am pleased, therefore, that the EU Commission has recently tabled proposals that, if adopted, will result, in respect of healthy slaughtered animals, for the testing of 100 per cent of cattle aged over 42 months and born before 1 January 2002, and 50 per cent of cattle aged over 42 months and born after 1 January 2002. For emergency slaughtered cattle and fallen stock, the proposal is to test 100 per cent of emergency slaughtered cattle and fallen stock aged over 36 months.
Work is continuing in Brussels to finalise the criteria against which the performance of any Member State will be measured in order to avail of the newly proposed testing arrangements. I am pressing to have this work concluded as quickly as possible.
