Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 117: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of cattle born before 1996; the estimated value of same; the projected cost of herd depopulation as a result of BSE from 2005 to 2010; if she will consider a depopulation programme for all cattle born prior to 1996; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14219/05]

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

It is estimated that there are in excess of 450,000 cattle in the national herd which were born before 1996. It is difficult to put an accurate value on such animals since their value to farmers is measured in terms of the calves and milk produced on an annual basis rather than by reference to what they would command at the market or in the factory. However, based on recent values of BSE suspects in this age category, the value of such animals would range from €500 to €1,000 per animal. Taking the lower figure, the value of all pre-1996 born animals left in the population would be at least €225 million. Trends observed over recent years indicate that approximately 165 cases of BSE — range 112-210 — are expected to be diagnosed in Ireland between 2005-10. Using that figure and the average cost of compensation for herd depopulation in 2004, the projected gross cost of compensation of herd depopulation as a result of BSE from 2005 to 2010 would be approximately €18.6 million. It should be emphasised that these are very tentative estimates based on certain assumptions and do not include slaughter, rendering, transport, disposal, etc., costs.

In March 2002, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland produced a report from its BSE sub-committee looking at strategies to reduce the incidence of BSE in Ireland, and whether these add value in terms of consumer protection over the existing control measures. The findings in that report were that provided all existing controls and regulations are strictly complied with, there was no added food safety value in a cull of older cattle in pre-clinical stages of the disease.