Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Dec 2000

Vol. 527 No. 3

Priority Questions. - Genetic Defects.

P. J. Sheehan

Ceist:

36 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a new genetic defect CVM (Complex Vertebral Malformation) which could affect the Holstein breed of cattle has been discovered in an EU country; and the action he will take to ensure that this disease is monitored and that more attention is paid by his Department to the use of semen from a wider genetic breed of bulls to safeguard the future of the Holstein breed here. [28273/00]

Mr. N. O'Keeffe

Investigation of this condition has been in progress in Denmark for the past 12 months and a report was published in October 2000. Test procedures to identify animals that carry the defective gene are not yet freely available as they must first be patented in Denmark. However, my Department, in conjunction with the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, is keeping abreast of developments and is closely monitoring the situation with a view to minimising any risk that might arise. In this regard, the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation is well advanced in the development of a sophisticated IT database that will further facilitate the monitoring of CVM and other genetic defects.

Mr. Sheehan

Will the Minister agree that a number of bulls have been named as carriers of this disease. Apparently Jos, Mau, Lbo and Len are all top bulls and grandsons of Bell, the carrier of CVM – Complex Vertebral Malformation – in the Holstein breed. What steps is the Minister of State or the Minister taking to identify the position in Ireland? Is semen from those bulls being given to farmers of the Holstein breed in Ireland? What steps are being taken to arrest this serious disease? As the Minister of State said in his reply this disease has been discovered only recently in Denmark. It is a serious disease and if it is detected here shortly we will have another serious disease side by side with BSE affecting the cattle breed.

Mr. N. O'Keeffe

We are aware of the concerns expressed by the Deputy and everything possible is being done. I compliment the Deputy on his great knowledge of the bull sires that are standing at our AI centres. Great credit is due to the Deputy that he is so familiar with the breeds and the names of the Holstein bulls. There are about 12 sons of carrier bulls in the current Irish test programme. These may or may not be carriers themselves. Given that this problem has arisen only recently this is an important question. At present the only breed affected is the Holstein breed. The condition occurs when two such carriers are mated. In such an instance there is a 25% chance that the progeny will receive a copy of the defective gene from each parent. Where this happens such calves are usually malformed and may be stillborn. I understand that a national magazine – I apologise that I cannot recall its title – recently carried details and a news item on the disease. We are investigating all that information as well. I wish to allay any fears the Deputy may have that we are in any way neglecting our duties in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.

Mr. Sheehan

There is an old saying that: "A stitch in time save nine". I am a firm believer in action, not words, issuing from the Department. Will the Minister agree that more attention should be paid to our wider genetic base to safeguard the future of the Holstein breed? So far as I can see in-breeding is the cause of this disease which has recently been detected. Surely, it is in the interests of every farmer engaged in Holstein breeding that we diversify from this tight band of proven sires in the cattle breeding business. I urge the Minister to ensure every step is taken to nip this serious disease in the bud, otherwise there will be serious consequence for Irish farmers.

Mr. N. O'Keeffe

I further compliment the Deputy on his knowledge of the genes, the bloodlines, the relationships and so on. We are aware of the problem. Sons of the complex vertebral malformation will not be approved for entry to the progeny testing programmes in Ireland. Every possible effort will be made to save the national herd from any further difficulties.