Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)

The fact that there have been no prosecutions for breaking the law regarding animals born after 1996 that have been detected with BSE is of some concern. As recently as two weeks ago, the Minister will know, an animal born in 2001, five years after the ban was effectively meant to have been in place, was found to be infected — if we take 1997 as the relevant date, it is four years. That is a long time to allow people to become totally compliant. It is too much of a coincidence that we have even sporadic cases. I accept the positive trend in overall numbers, which is very welcome. However, there is a need for a very proactive stance regarding those people found to have animals in their herds with BSE born as recently as 2001.

I would like to know what further positive actions might be taken to ensure that there are no further cases. I am aware that in the UK a special committee has been set up to look into the incidence of BSE in animals born after 1997. We may have to consider some positive and structured measure of that sort here to ensure that there are no more cases and that, if there are, we can find out why and be assured that the proper penalties are applied.

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