Emmet Stagg
Ceist:63 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of cases of compensation which have been paid to farmers for the slaughter of cattle identified with or suspected of having BSE.
Written Answers. - BSE Infected Cattle.
Compensation was paid in 26 cases, of which 15 were positive.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:64 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the volume or estimated volume of imported pet food in 1989 and 1990; the volume or estimated volume of imported pet food from Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1989 and 1990; if the Government will consider banning the importation of pet food from Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in view of the continued practice of pet food manufacturers to use offal from beef that may be infected with BSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
23,723 tonnes of pet food were imported in 1989 of which 21,329 tonnes originated in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In January 1990, 2,556 tonnes were imported of which 2,302 tonnes originated in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
There is no evidence whatever that pet food imported from the UK poses a disease risk and I do not propose to prohibit imports.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:65 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if it is still permissible under the terms of the European Commission Decision 90/59/EEC of 7 February, 1990 to import from Great Britain and Northern Ireland (a) live cattle under the age of six months (b) processed beef and veal whether fresh, chilled or frozen (c) offal from cattle under the age of six months and (d) processed meat products which contain offal from cattle under the age of six months; the volume or estimated volume of imports from Great Britain and Northern Ireland for (a), (b), (c) and (d) above in the years 1989 and 1990; and the plans he has to ban the importation from Great Britain and Northern Ireland of any of the above meat and offal products.
Trade with the UK in live animals and animal products is governed by EC legislation, under which imports of the products referred to are permitted. However, calves imported in accordance with the decision referred to must be slaughtered before the age of six months and consequently this trade has diminished significantly.
Trade statistics for imports from the UK are as follows:
|
1989 |
January 1990 |
|
|
(a) Calves |
18,192 |
2,651 |
|
(b) Beef and Veal |
17,552 tonnes |
888 tonnes |
The trade statistics do not distinguish between offal from cattle under the age of six months and other offal.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:66 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if any calves have been born to any of the cattle identified with BSE; if it will be required that calves born to cattle infected with BSE be culled; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Calves born to cows infected with BSE are purchased by my Department and held at the veterinary research laboratory farm at Abbotstown.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:67 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps he will take to inform farmers of how to identify the symptoms of BSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
BSE has been a notifiable disease since 1 April 1989. Veterinary practitioners have been made fully aware of its clinical symptoms. Farmers have been advised to report to their veterinary surgeon and the district veterinary office of the Department any bovine animal showing abnormal nervous symptoms associated with loss of condition over a period of time.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:68 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of cattle smuggled from Northern Ireland and impounded by customs officials in 1989 and 1990; and if any of the cattle impounded have been identified as being inflicted with, or exhibiting suspected symptoms of BSE.
The number of cattle smuggled from Northern Ireland and impounded by customs officials in 1989 and 1990 to date is 337. None of the cattle impounded were identified as being infected with, or exhibiting symptoms of, BSE.