Emmet Stagg
Ceist:70 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if a full-time epidemiologist and appropriate support staff have been appointed to evaluate all aspects of BSE here. [28459/00]
Written Answers. - BSE Issues.
In 1998 and in 1999 international competitions were held to appoint a full time epidemiologist to assist in the analysis of data relating to the BSE programme. No person was appointed as a result of these competitions. One of the Department's veterinary inspectors has since commenced training for a masters degree in epidemiology in the University of Quelph in Canada and is now returned and contributing support for the national programme. In the interim, the Department's senior epidemiologist provided the primary support to the BSE programme and continues to give priority to this work.
The Deputy will be aware that a BSE scientific advisory committee, which included a wide range of expertise, was established in April 1996 with the following terms of reference: "To report in the first instance on the transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, TSE, situation in ruminants in Ireland, and in particular to establish options in the light of the current state of scientific knowledge for an enhanced programme for the elimination and prevention of the disease in this State". The committee's report, which included a number of recommendations, was published in February of this year.
Austin Deasy
Ceist:71 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if there are any figures available to quantify the drop in beef consumption within the EU due to the BSE scare; if he is concerned with regard to the recent disclosures of BSE outbreaks in Germany and Spain; and the way in which he sees this impinging on the exports of Irish beef. [28453/00]
Michael Joe Cosgrave
Ceist:95 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the percentage of beef that is exported; and the foreign markets which are now closed to Irish beef due to the BSE problem. [28455/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 95 together.
It is not possible to quantify at this stage the drop in beef consumption within the EU arising from the current BSE situation. Given that the beef produced in Ireland from some nine out of every ten animals slaughtered is exported, any situation which threatens to adversely affect this trade is a matter of serious concern. In 1999, Ireland exported over 640,000 tonnes, carcass weight equivalent, to over 60 countries world-wide of which some 288,000 tonnes were exported to EU countries. To date, the markets directly affected by this current difficulty are Hungary, Oman, Philippines and the Czech Republic which have banned imports of beef from the EU and Egypt which has suspended the issue of import licences pending a review of the BSE situation in Europe. The Russian Federation has added a further three Irish counties to its banned list on foot of last August's BSE figures. My Department has been in contact with the relevant authorities in these countries to emphasise to them that Ireland's BSE control measures, which were significantly enhanced in 1996 and 1997, are among the most stringent in the world and that these controls offer the maximum possible assurances of safety to consumers of Irish beef.
Clearly the effects of BSE being discovered in some member states which had not found it up to now and had not put in place preventative measures have been profound. It is the case that recent developments have caused serious problems within the market and these can only be dealt with by measures taken at EU level. In this regard, I believe that the decisions taken at yesterday's council should make a considerable contribution to improving the situation. The measures adopted include a temporary ban on feeding of meat and bone meal to all farm animals; animals over 30 months can go into the food chain only if tested; a 'purchase for destruction' scheme to remove from the food chain all cattle over 30 months which have not yet been tested for BSE; and intervention purchasing needs to be introduced.
I strongly welcome these decisions and I believe that they will provide an improved framework for protecting human health and in restoring confidence in beef. The resultant restoration of consumer confidence is the critical first step in achieving market balance, which is of major importance to the Irish beef industry. In addition, the ‘purchase for destruction' scheme should also make a significant contribution to improved market balance. I have been particularly concerned to ensure adequate market support and I am confident that I have secured agreement for an effective and meaningful intervention arrangement which should provide the basis for the resumption of orderly marketing.
The agreement was also essential in reassuring our vital third country markets. I will be visiting Egypt immediately to secure the restoration of this market for Irish beef.