John Ellis
Ceist:24 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the current position regarding brucellosis in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Incidence of Bovine Brucellosis.
The incidence of bovine brucellosis has been reduced to a very low level in the cattle population and over 99.8 per cent of herds are free of the disease, with less than 170 herds currently restricted, of which a substantial number are singleton reactor herds. The relative upsurge in infection which occurred in 1992 and early in 1993 did not affect Ireland's officially Brucellosis Free trading status. This infection has been stabilised following the application of a specific testing strategy to particular herds together with a strong farmer awareness campaign, which received the full backing of the farm organisations.
This year's programme will again consist of a full monitor of the national herd which will be achieved through a combination of blood testing and repeated milk testing of dairy herds.