Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 1

Written Answers. - Animal Diseases.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

224 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a sheep farmer whose flock has been isolated since January 2003 with CLA has not received payments of compensation; the effects this isolation will have in regard to pedigree sheep flocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26539/03]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

225 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the effect the presence of CLA is having in regard to pedigree sheep flocks in the country; his plans to eradicate the disease; the total amount of compensation paid to farmers to date in regard to the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26540/03]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

226 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of sheep detected with CLA; the compensation paid to farmers in such cases; the plans he has to revise the status of CLA; the timescale of such a proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26541/03]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

227 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farms isolated due to CLA in their sheep flocks; the future in regard to such pedigree flocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26542/03]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

228 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the effect of CLA in sheep flocks is confined to a certain area; the cause of the disease; the measures his Department is putting in place financially and in terms of personnel to prevent further outbreaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26543/03]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 to 228, inclusive, together.

CLA is a bacterial disease of sheep and goats that can cause economic losses in the form of poor weight gain, lower wool yield, reproductive inefficiency, devaluation of hides and condemnation of carcasses at slaughter. It is not possible to be definitive about the origin of the disease in Ireland, although a number of cases in recent years can be linked to imports of breeding stock. It is equally difficult to be certain about the exact number of cases because there is no readily available test which could facilitate screening for the disease. However, there are grounds for believing that there is substantial under-reporting of the disease and the available evidence suggests that the disease is common in many flocks.

In Ireland, this disease is categorised as a class A disease under the Diseases of Animals Act 1966 and it is compulsorily notifiable. Until recently, affected flocks were restricted. Sales for slaughter were permitted, but sales for breeding and fattening prohibited. However, the disease is not categorised as a class A disease under current OIE rules and is not regarded as being of human health concern. Against this background, I recently announced that flocks in which CLA has been confirmed would no longer be restricted other than in exceptional cases where this was considered necessary. However, the disease will retain its class A status and will remain compulsorily notifiable. This will facilitate an ongoing evaluation of case numbers and allow my Department to take action in exceptional cases where this is considered necessary.
Prior to my recent announcement, eight pedigree flocks were restricted with the disease. My Department does not have a compensation scheme for affected flock owners. However, in the past, and in the context of a regime which prohibited the sale of breeding stock from affected flocks, my Department from time to time madeex gratia payments in respect of the depopulation of sheep to pedigree flock owners whose primary business was prevented by such a restriction. In this context, my Department is considering the making of similar ex gratia payments to the flock owners referred to above. I expect this matter to be finalised and offers made to these farmers in the very near future. The question of providing such compensation in future cases does not arise.
In July of this year my Department issued an advice note to every flock owner in the country to assist them in identifying the clinical signs of the disease, understanding how it is spread, protecting their flocks, reducing the risk of the disease spreading and dealing with suspect cases. In this context, the primary responsibility for tackling this disease and the most effective means of doing so rest with the sheep sector itself. I urge farming bodies, breeding societies and flock owners to encourage greater effort in this area.
Barr
Roinn