Vol. 472 No. 4
47 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the basis for his prediction of a further increase in BSE cases before the end of 1996; the system by which new cases are reported to his Department and made public; the time lapse between the confirmation of BSE in a herd and the publication of the outbreak; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23381/96]
There have been 62 cases of BSE in Ireland to date. While a second case has also been confirmed from a recently depopulated herd, I have based my end of year predictions on the number of suspicious cases currently under investigation and the rate at which cases are being confirmed at present.
BSE is compulsorily notifiable under the Diseases of Animals Act, 1996. This places a statutory obligations on veterinary surgeons, farmers and all other persons in charge of bovines to notify my Department of any animal suspected of being affected by BSE.
All suspect animals which are notified to my Department are monitored by veterinary inspectors from the local district veterinary office. The herds in question are immediately placed under official restrictions. When suspect animals are slaughtered, the brains are immediately taken to the Department's central veterinary research laboratory for examination. Where BSE is confirmed, the herdowner concerned is notified as soon as possible, as are other bodies in accordance with our obligations under EU and international diseases reporting requirements. Details of all confirmed cases are also made available to the public as soon as possible.
