As the Deputy is aware the reported animal health and disease problems of the early to mid-1990s in the Askeaton area were the subject of a multiagency investigation under the auspices of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, in which my Department participated. The report of this most comprehensive investigation was published in August 2001 and details of the studies and laboratory tests of animals of all farms, except one farm that withdrew voluntarily in the early stages from the study, are presented in chapter 3 of the main report of the investigations of animal health problems in that area.
Briefly, these results are comprised of the periodic haematology and biochemistry analyses on blood samples collected from a selected group of monitor animals. Additional blood, milk and other samples were collected as required to investigate specific animal health or production issues. Post-mortem investigations and analyses are also undertaken on any animal carcases from these farms submitted to my Department's regional veterinary laboratory in Limerick. Milk samples were also analysed by culture or cell count methods as required by the ongoing investigators and no additional checks on milk or meat products, including feeding trials, were deemed necessary based on the findings of the animal health aspects of the investigation. All such products originating from these farms would have been subjected to the normal food hygiene controls at the processing intake points.
