Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
1084. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports that his Department provides to farmers who discover mycoplasma bovis disease in their herds; if his Department offers preventative guidance to farmers in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13777/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMycoplasma bovis is now considered to be endemic in the Irish cattle population; it is occasionally associated with respiratory disease, arthritis and mastitis in infected cattle. Infection in cattle is generally amenable to treatment and control when outbreaks occur, with appropriate professional and laboratory supports. Mycoplasma bovis has no implications for public health, food safety or international trade. Therefore this infectious disease is not regulated in Ireland or the EU.
The diagnosis, treatment, control and prevention of all non-regulated or “production” diseases of animals is a matter for animal keepers and their veterinary practitioners.
My Department supports the control of non-regulated diseases which may cause losses of livestock, animal welfare problems and financial hardship for farmers (including that associated with Mycoplasma bovis infection) by providing:
- a veterinary laboratory diagnostic service, provided by a network of Regional Veterinary Laboratories (post mortem examination and testing of clinical specimens) and the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory at Backweston
- field investigation of new and emerging disease problems when this is indicated
- contributions to the farming press and presentation to the practising veterinary profession, informed by the findings of field and laboratory investigations and advising on disease prevention and control
- support for Animal Health Ireland (AHI) in developing and disseminating educational materials on non-regulated diseases for farmers and veterinary practitioners.
