John Perry
Ceist:47 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to amend the current scrapie policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18926/03]
Vol. 570 No. 4
47 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to amend the current scrapie policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18926/03]
I announced a number of changes to the existing scrapie policy on 16 April this year.
In so far as the scrapie depopulation policy is concerned, I indicated that I would, for the present, be retaining whole-flock depopulation, although depopulated flocks may be restocked with sheep after a minimum de-contamination period – usually one month – unless there is veterinary advice that the level of exposure to scrapie on the holding or other epidemiological factors indicate that a longer period is warranted. Restocking is subject to adherence to a cleansing and disinfection protocol, use of resistant rams in the new flock and record keeping requirements. Replacement female sheep which do not have specified levels of resistance will not be allowed to enter the food chain.