Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 8: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps she is taking to increase the age threshold for BSE testing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29906/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is important, in the first instance, to emphasise that I have never had discretion to raise the age thresholds for BSE testing as these are fixed at EU level. I have, however, been a constant advocate of change and have taken and continue to take every opportunity to impress upon Commissioner Kyprianou the overwhelming case I believe exists to raise the age limits. My officials have also taken similar opportunities to press the case for change.

My contention that the age limits should be raised is supported by any analysis of the existing surveillance programme. In 2006, more than 10 million tests, of which 8.5 million were in healthy slaughtered animals, were carried out throughout the EU with just 285 or 0.003% positive cases detected, of which 62 were in healthy slaughtered animals. Since 2001 some 4.7 million tests have been carried out in Ireland. As the House will be aware, the number of cases being identified here has fallen dramatically since 2001, when there were 333. This compares with 41 last year and 20 to date this year. The existing requirement that all bovines over 30 months of age slaughtered for human consumption must be tested, with all casualty animals over 24 months and all fallen stock over 24 months, is provided for under Regulation (EC) 999/2001.

In recent months the European Commission has proposed changes to the existing testing regime, the most recent of which were proposed at a meeting of chief veterinary officers in October. They were since discussed at a meeting of the TSE working group in Brussels earlier this month. The proposals now tabled by the Commission represent a vindication of my efforts in the past three years. I look forward with optimism to a successful conclusion to the current discussions.

The current options in respect of healthy slaughtered animals are to test all cattle aged over 42 months; to test all cattle born before 1 January 2002 and 50% of those born since and aged over 42 months; or to test all animals born before 1 January 2004 and none of those born since. It is also proposed, under each option, that, in respect of emergency slaughtered cattle and fallen stock, all cattle over 36 months would be BSE tested.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for her long reply. However, all farmers want to know is when this unjustified charge and their difficulties with selling cattle on date will be removed. These are the issues at stake. The price of animals is being downgraded without justification, simply because they are over a certain age. The meat goes through the same process, but there has been no change, despite the fact they have been seeking it for years. When will the Minister succeed in getting it? When will she make the case that farmers, especially those involved in the beef sector, are under severe pressure? They do not need factories to avail of any excuse against them. Will the Minister give us the date and time for when the problem will be solved once and for all?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I have continued to pursue this issue vigorously, but a number of member states do not wish this to happen. The decision that will be made will apply EU-wide. In that regard, the paper was received and discussed in October. I had hoped and expected that this would be introduced at the end of this year——

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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We were promised before the general election it would be.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Unfortunately, many of my EU counterparts will not agree. We now have three proposals. I have put forward our view as to what we wish to have and this is being pursued vigorously by me and my veterinary staff. I have spoken to the Commissioner to expedite the matter and will continue to keep the pressure on him. While I would love to be able to give a definite date, I cannot do so. However, I will do everything I can to expedite a decision. We will be as forthcoming as possible on the matter. I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy, there is no health reason that these tests should be carried out now.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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In view of the significance of this issue to farmers, given the previous issue relating to the Food and Veterinary Office report and in the light of the forthcoming referendum, farmers must be convinced that the European Union can deliver for them. Given the level of apathy and hostility in the farming community to the treaty, as evaluated by recent opinion polls, does the Minister believe it is imperative that between now and the holding of the referendum in early 2008 we convince farmers that the Union can deliver for them and that it will not hinder them, put them out of business or take money from their pockets? It is important we get this issue across to Commissioner Kyprianou and President Barroso. At a political level, we need to forge alliances in Europe that will be seen to deliver for us. I appreciate what the Minister says, that she can only advocate but cannot make the change. Efficient advocacy works by building relationships with other like-minded states. Ireland is the only state that will have to put the Lisbon treaty to the people and we will need assistance at a political level to have it delivered.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I have formed many political alliances around the table and used them extensively. They are not just in the agriculture area, but also in the fisheries area. We have good political alliances and continue to hold bilateral discussions. I will meet the forthcoming Presidency in Slovenia on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss these issues and did the same in previous presentations and preparations.

I agree that in some instances farmers do not see the European Union as a support mechanism, but as a hindrance. However, we must not forget that the Union continues to provide €1.3 billion through the single farm payment, for example. I have continued to pursue the issues at stake vigorously. As the Deputy knows, when it comes to public health, change can be complicated and difficult on the basis of what happened a number of years ago in other member states. There is a reluctance to move forward and press ahead. Perhaps some member states wish to be less progressive than us.

As I said, I have given an assurance to farming organisations that we will continue to press vigorously on the issue, as have farming organisations within the European Union.