Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 324: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has made an application to the EU Commission to remove brucellosis restrictions in view of the disease free status here later in April 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14096/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The last confirmed case of Brucellosis was disclosed in April 2006. In view of the decline in the incidence of Brucellosis, my Department submitted an application for Official Brucellosis Status (OBF) for Ireland to the European Commission's Health and Consumers Directorate General on 31 March 2009. Achievement of OBF status would allow us to significantly reduce the level of testing for Brucellosis but, given the nature of the disease and having regard to the fact that Brucellosis continues to exist in Northern Ireland, I intend to adopt a cautious approach to any reduction in the controls. The controls will be reduced on a phased basis over a number of years and will be based on an assessment of the risks involved.

My Department has held discussions with the farming organisations on the most appropriate approach to take to a relaxation of the control measures over the coming years in the context of the achievement of Officially Brucellosis Free status. I will take the views of the farm body representatives into account when taking definitive decisions on the issue.