Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 4

Written Answers - Bovine Disease Controls.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

144 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans, if any, he has to alleviate hardship on livestock breeding farmers in the north-west due to the imposition of exceptionally stringent brucellosis pre-movement testing controls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6377/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Despite the introduction of a series of measures in late summer 1997 to deal with the deteriorating brucellosis situation the number of brucellosis breakdowns continued to increase and by November 1997, it became clear that the number of herds restricted in accordance with EU rules would exceed 0.2 per cent of herds. The relevant EU legislation requires that for herds to retain "officially brucellosis free" status, inter alia, all bought-in eligible cattle must have passed a pre-movement test within 30 days of movement if the percentage of herds infected is greater than 0.2 per cent. Non-compliance with the directive would be detrimental to Ireland's ability to trade both in beef and dairy products.

Following extended discussions in the Animal Health Forum and separately with representatives of bodies on the forum in the course of which broad agreement was reached on the range of measures required, I announced the introduction of further measures on 6 February 1998. The main elements are as follows: with effect from 23 February 1998, all female cattle and bulls being moved into or out of holdings, other than direct to a slaughter premises, must have passed a blood test within 30 days preceding the date of movement; in addition to the foregoing and from the same date, (i) bulls over 12 months and female cattle over 18 months of age may not be sold more than once, whether by public or private sale on foot of a brucellosis test and (ii) such cattle being sold must be moved from the holding where tests are undertaken direct to either the purchaser's holding or direct to a mart and from their direct to the purchaser's holding; a full round of blood testing for all eligible cattle in 1998 to augment and complement existing arrangements including monthly milk ring testing; further enhancement of the eradication measures applying in certain areas, in particular the completion of a full round of blood testing of all eligible animals in these areas over the next two months; revamped administrative procedures in the Department's local offices to deal more effectively with herds with brucellosis reactors and those contiguous to such herds; arrangements to speed up the completion of blood tests and the improved notification of results; early removal of reactors and steps to improve detection of irregularities; increased epidemiological investigation by Department veterinary staff and a review of the epidemiology of brucellosis over recent years by the research investigation unit; an on-going and intensive awareness/advisory campaign to update farmers and others on farm husbandry and management practices to curtail the spread of brucellosis; the early introduction of further legislation on aspects relating to trading and tracing of cattle movements and on registration of all those engaged in trading cattle and a restructured and revamped compensation regime.

I accept that the new requirements, particularly those relating to testing and the ‘one-sale' regime, will impose additional constraints on farmers and others. At the same time, all parties involved in the negotiations accept the veterinary advice that these arrangements are essential at this time and have to be judged in the context of the potential threat to our beef and dairy trade if the threat of brucellosis is not curtailed. These measures together with full use of current technology and good herd management practices if strictly observed and adhered to should redress the deteriorating brucellosis problem in cattle and thereby safeguard animal and public health and protect our trading position for livestock and livestock products.