Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the status of Ireland in regards to brucellosis. [4936/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Brucellosis is now at a historically low level in Ireland. The last confirmed case was disclosed in April 2006. If no case of Brucellosis is disclosed between now and March 2009, my Department will apply to the EU Commission for Official Brucellosis Free status in April 2009. At that stage, I would envisage a relaxation of some of the programme's control measures which will reduce the burden on farmers of testing and movement controls. However, given the nature of the disease and as Brucellosis continues to exist in Northern Ireland, we will be adopting a cautious approach to reducing controls and any reduction will be phased over a number of years and will be based on an assessment of the risks involved.

I must emphasise that any new outbreaks of the disease between now and April next could jeopardise the attainment of officially free status. Consequently, I would urge all involved to continue to comply with the control and testing arrangements that remain in place and to exercise caution when sourcing replacement female animals.