Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 October 2004
17 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the policy with respect to scrapie monitoring; the funding which is available to assist farmers who wish to enter the scheme; her plans to extend the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24431/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary purpose of the scrapie monitored flock scheme has been to permit participants to meet the export certification conditions for breeding sheep in so far as they relate to scrapie. These conditions are laid down in EU law, and include, inter alia, a requirement that sheep intended for export for breeding have been kept continuously on a scrapie monitored holding since birth or for the last three years. As most commercial flocks do not require export status for breeding sheep there is no requirement to extend the scheme to the national flock. In addition, sheep of specified genotypes can be exported under EU law without having to comply with scrapie monitored conditions.
Apart from meeting laboratory test costs which are subsidised by my Department there is no funding provided to assist farmers to participate in the scrapie monitored flock scheme.
18 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her Department has given consideration to a targeted cull of BSE infected cattle as opposed to the present system of mass culling of herds in which an infected animal is discovered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24491/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has reviewed the policy of full herd culling of BSE infected herds in the recent past and found that it was prudent to retain it on a number of grounds for the present, although the position is kept under ongoing review. In this regard, the Deputy will be aware that a report of the FSAI's BSE sub-committee in 2002 found that, provided all existing controls and regulations are strictly complied with, there was no added food safety value of a cull of older animals.
It is generally accepted from a scientific perspective that the main cause of BSE is consumption of infected feedstuffs, with a theoretical possibility of maternal transmission from dam to calf. Horizontal transmission is not considered to be a significant factor in the spread of the disease. Current EU law requires at a minimum the slaughter of birth cohorts and progeny when a BSE case is confirmed and also provides for a whole herd depopulation approach. Countries availing of birth cohort and progeny culling only are not as heavily reliant on exports as Ireland and all have substantial domestic markets.
Over time, whole herd depopulation along with the full spectrum of BSE controls operating in Ireland have become critical elements in providing reassurance to consumers and in marketing Irish beef and dairy produce at home and abroad. In these circumstances, and while cases continue to be confirmed at current levels, it is not possible precisely to assess the market reaction to any decision to terminate Ireland's whole herd slaughter policy. In addition, a change in policy could impact on individual farmers whose herds may be affected by the disease. Farmers left with animals which have been in the same herd as a BSE positive animal would face difficulties in selling beef or milk to processors.
All the evidence available indicates that BSE numbers here are declining and that the reduction will be maintained. Consequently, net Exchequer costs of whole herd depopulation are expected to decline. I am, however, keeping this and other aspects of our BSE controls under ongoing scrutiny.
