Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Oct 1999

Vol. 508 No. 3

Written Answers - Animal Health Problems.

Dan Neville

Ceist:

162 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the final report on the animal health problems in Askeaton, County Limerick, will be published in view of the fact the Environmental Protection Agency planned to publish the final report in the first half of 1999. [18595/99]

Dan Neville

Ceist:

163 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will give details of the report by two representatives of his Department who visited a farm (details supplied) in County Limerick which was experiencing serious animal health problems. [18596/99]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh):

It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 162 and 163 together.

The visit by Department representatives to this and other farms in the Askeaton area in early 1996 was a preliminary part of the Askeaton animal health investigation and was aimed at gathering outline information on the animal health status of a number of farms in the area. If the farmer in question is agreeable, I am willing to make available to the Deputy a copy of the report prepared of the visit to this farm.

Numerous efforts were subsequently made by my Department to revisit the farm in question for the purpose of conducting a detailed assessment of animal health on the farm. Notwithstanding claims by the farmer in question of recurrent animal health problems on his holding, I regret to say that he has so far been unwilling to allow Department personnel the necessary access to his farm. The Askeaton animal health investigation is now in its concluding stage and I expect the report to be published early next year.