Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 70: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the situation with regard to Johne's disease here. [6979/05]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Johne's disease is widespread in other EU member states and indeed worldwide. It is a chronic infectious disease of cattle, which gives rise to gradual wasting and loss of condition. Most cattle are infected early in life and while adult animals can become infected, it is rare and they usually have other problems such as deficiencies with their immune system. The disease has been notifiable in this country since 1955.

Until 1992, strict import conditions ensured that Johne's disease was relatively rare in Ireland. However, since 1993, the increase in the number of cattle imported in the aftermath of the single market contributed to a significant increase in the numbers of reported cases of the disease. In 2002 and 2003, 100 animals and 150 animals respectively were diagnosed as having Johne's disease.

Figures of incidence of the disease for 2004 have not been collated. Results on samples submitted for culture can take up to six months because of the extremely slow growth pattern of the organism. Farmers in general appear to be more aware of the disease and the increased volume of samples particularly blood samples being submitted for analysis suggests that an increasing number are actively managing the disease on their own farms. Control of Johne's disease centres on hygiene and on-farm animal management in particular with respect to the rearing of potential breeding animals. I recognize the need for support of an effective national strategy to arrest and reverse the incidence of the disease.

In an effort to raise awareness and to promote higher standards of hygiene management practices and calf rearing, my Department published two booklets in 2002 on Johne's disease. One of these is aimed at the farmer and the other at the private veterinary practitioner. These booklets detail the precautions individual farmers should take to keep the disease out of their herds. It would also be prudent for any prospective purchaser to seek private certification of freedom from Johne's disease from a vendor of cattle either imported from abroad or sourced within this country.

In early 2003, my Department discontinued the policy of slaughtering affected animals when it became apparent that this approach was not effective. A strategic review, which involved consultation with relevant interests, of the approach to tackling the disease was initiated. The process generated a number of very useful proposals of a practical nature.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Does he recognise that the open market did not take account of the ability of diseases such as this to spread? I did not hear him mention quarantine in his reply, but will he consider the view I have heard expressed by farmers and vets that there is a need for closer attention to be paid to the quarantine issue, particularly for specimens of breeding animals coming into the country, and that this has slipped in the past? Will he agree that part of the problem is that there was not sufficient attention paid to the possibility of the spread of Johne's disease in the past? Have we learnt lessons to ensure that this spread is halted?

Farmers are finding it difficult enough to compete, but if there is some condition which is causing waste, where animals are being fed but there is less production, does the Minister accept that this is adding to the problem? What lessons have been learnt and how do they relate to quarantine?

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Department has introduced a number of initiatives. As I said, it has distributed two booklets, one for the farmer and one for the vet. We have also had a short-time strategy involving a training and information seminar for interested private veterinary practitioners, which took place in January last and was attended by 80 vets. It is intended to hold further seminars with Teagasc advisers and the Department in the near future.

As part of the next phase of the review in 2004, and on the basis of an identified need to generate rapidly increased awareness, Teagasc, the ICOS, Veterinary Ireland and the Department organised a series of workshops. Within the Department, a medium-term strategy involves research and it will include measures such as the evaluation of a number of diagnostic and screening methods for Johne's disease and the interim provision of diagnostic supports at the central veterinary research laboratory. The Department has allocated approximately €400,000 for this purpose over the past two years. The Department is considering consulting the industry and other interested parties on a number of other initiatives which will form a strategy to address Johne's disease. A number of issues must be resolved but we intend to proceed with a pilot initiative.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister of State referred to the publication of booklets and so on. A farmer in a neighbouring county to mine lost his herd to BSE. He bought another herd but one animal was infected with Johne's disease. He bought those animals under the supervision of the Department but ended up with a serious Johne's disease problem. Has an effort been made to prevent farmers from selling animals, which have contracted Johne's disease? If a farmer seeks advice from the Department regarding which animals to buy and they subsequently contract Johne's disease, is there an onus on the Department to compensate him?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy has received a by-election representation.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister of State partially answered my question regarding the updated methodology for detection. The time lag between taking a sample and getting a result is a major problem. What efforts are being made to fast-track that process? What research developments have taken place?

Are there concerns about the pasteurisation of milk given the tenuous link between Johne's disease and Crohn's disease in humans? Are the terms of pasteurisation under review?

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Given that 25% of the adult population have poor literacy skills, will the Minister of State consider issuing a video rather than booklets to disseminate information on these issues?

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will consider Deputy Naughten's suggestion. I would like the pilot scheme to get under way so that all the issues raised can be addressed. There are no concerns about pasteurised milk.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What about my question? Who is responsible?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Nothing can be done because it is a diagnostic problem.

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is why the Department is undertaking the pilot scheme.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The farmer involved has been in touch with the Department on a number of occasions. While there is an issue, the diagnostic procedure is the difficulty. The Department does not buy cattle.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Teagasc is good at selling them in Leitrim.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy should wake up.