Vol. 494 No. 4
218 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the incidence of brucellosis and tuberculosis per county in tests up to 30 September 1998; the action, if any, his Department in conjunction with farming and veterinary associations is taking to eradicate these diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18708/98]
The incidence of brucellosis and tuberculosis per county in 1998 (to the dates indicated) is shown in the following tabular statement.
The new arrangements for the TB and brucellosis eradication programmes introduced in 1996 are designed to enhance the overall effectiveness of the eradication schemes and provide for the orderly annual testing of the national herd and a comprehensive research programme. In relation to the current brucellosis situation and in consultation with the Animal Health Forum a number of new measures were introduced to combat the disease: from 23 February 1998 all female cattle and bulls over 12 months of age 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; from the same date, 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 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 there direct to the purchaser's holding; a full round of blood testing for all eligible cattle in 1998 to augment and compliment existing arrangements including monthly milk ring testing; revamped administrative procedures in my 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 epidemiology work by my Department's veterinary staff and a review of the epidemiology of brucellosis over recent years; an ongoing and intensive awareness/advisory campaign to update farmers and others on farm husbandry and management practices to curtail the spread of brucellosis; a restructured and revamped compensation regime.
I am satisfied following discussions in the Animal Health Forum that all concerned — farmers, the veterinary profession and marts will co-operate fully with these new arrangements. The arrangements to be applied for both TB and brucellosis for 1999 are under consideration.
|
County |
TB (at 9 September) |
*Brucellosis (at 31 August) |
|
Carlow |
73 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
350 |
8 |
|
Clare |
194 |
2 |
|
Cork North |
288 |
37 |
|
Cork South |
341 |
28 |
|
Donegal |
101 |
0 |
|
Dublin |
28 |
2 |
|
Galway |
245 |
10 |
|
Kerry |
254 |
38 |
|
Kildare |
91 |
7 |
|
Kilkenny |
244 |
5 |
|
Laois |
112 |
12 |
|
Leitrim |
123 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
236 |
79 |
|
Longford |
66 |
0 |
|
Louth |
147 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
126 |
6 |
|
Meath |
361 |
9 |
|
Monaghan |
319 |
8 |
|
Offaly |
90 |
12 |
|
Roscommon |
189 |
9 |
|
Sligo |
184 |
3 |
|
Tipperary South |
195 |
15 |
|
Tipperary North |
156 |
50 |
|
Waterford |
111 |
9 |
|
Westmeath |
171 |
3 |
|
Wexford |
183 |
0 |
|
Wicklow East |
69 |
See Dublin |
|
Wicklow West |
48 |
See Kildare |
