Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 March 2015
380. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out his plans to run an awareness campaign with regard to the necessity of cleaning out water troughs in fields (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11852/15]
View answerOn-farm routine hygiene protocols such as regular cleaning of water troughs is only one element of farm bio security that merits attention by every livestock farmer in the country and, in this regard, my Department provides information on its website regarding Tuberculosis disease eradication policy which outlines the importance of providing drinking water for cattle from a clean source. This can be accessed at:
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/animalhealthwelfare/diseasecontrols/tuberculosistbandbrucellosis/diseaseeradicationpolicy/TBLeaflet2014Final250314.pdf.
Animal Health Ireland also has a role in promoting bio-security on farms and I would in particular draw attention to the following leaflets:
- Purchasing Stock: Reducing Disease Risks
- Bio exclusion
- Understanding Infectious Diseases
These are available on the Animal Health Ireland website at - www.Animalhealthireland.ie. Teagasc also address the issue in its publication on Animal Welfare Guidelines for Beef Cattle Farms which can be accessed at http://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2008/20081022/animalwelfareguidelines.asp.
