Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 353: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action her Department is taking to reduce the incidence of botulism in bovine animals within the vicinity of poultry farms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14419/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Botulism is not a notifiable disease under the Diseases of Animals Acts. However samples from animals may be submitted for testing to my Department's central veterinary laboratory or regional veterinary laboratories at the discretion of a private veterinary practitioner or on request by a herd owner through his or her private veterinary practitioner.

Bovine botulism can be contracted by contact with contaminated decomposing organic material such as poultry litter which contains poultry carcass material and which has been spread on land grazed by cattle. The spreading of animal by-products, for example, litter containing poultry carcass material, on land is prohibited under Regulation EC No. 1774/2002. Manure from egg laying hens may be spread on pasture as there is no evidence that it presents a risk of botulism in cattle.

While human beings may be affected by botulism, it should be noted that the specific toxins implicated in the conditions in humans are not those associated with the condition in cattle. The risk to human health from consumption of milk or meat from cattle on farms with cases of botulism, therefore, appears to be remote.

In 2003, my Department wrote to dairy processors advising them about the condition and asking them to distribute to their producers an information-advisory note entitled Good Farming Practice with regard to Spreading Poultry Litter on Land. Poultry processors were also circulated with a similar information-advisory note. Information Note on Botulism for Veterinary Practitioners and Instructions for Practitioners when dealing with Suspected Cases of Botulism on Farm were also circulated to private veterinary practitioners by district veterinary offices. Copies of the information referred to are available to farmers from district veterinary offices.

In addition to the above, the Department's veterinary staff has held meetings with the industry to raise awareness on the issue. The poultry industry is well aware of the issues with regard to its obligations on the safe disposal of litter and carcass material in accordance with Regulation EC No. 1774/2002. Sections of the industry have been very proactive in dealing with this issue and have adopted good practice procedures. The veterinary inspectorate carries out annual inspections of waste disposal procedures on these farms, but diligence on the part of individual producers is required to ensure that good practice procedures are maintained. Indications so far this year suggest that there is a reduction in the reported incidence of the disease.