Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 435: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the Schmallenberg virus which is currently in the UK and other parts of Europe; the precautions and measures that have been put in place to safeguard the Irish agri-food industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12314/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Schmallenberg virus is a newly emerging disease. There is no evidence to suggest that the disease is transmissible to humans. The disease is not officially notifiable and there is no evidence that the disease is present in Ireland.

The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and ECDC (European Centre for Disease Control) and also the animal and human health authorities at national level, are collaborating to ensure rapid detection of any change in the epidemiology in animals and humans. Investigations and research projects are ongoing in the affected countries to better understand the epidemiological and the microbiological aspects of this outbreak among ruminants and Ireland is collaborating in this work.

The information available on the Schmallenberg virus suggests that it is part of the Simbu serogroup viruses that are primarily transmitted by insect vectors (midges, mosquitoes). There is no direct transmission from animal to animal, other than maternal transmission from mother to offspring in utero. Exposure to a similar virus - Akabane virus (widespread in Australia) induces strong immunity in the infected animal.

Schmallenberg virus manifests in ruminants -

-Adult cattle – (transient) febrile illness and milk drop and

- As congenital malformations in newborn animals/aborted animals (mainly sheep)

It appears that the infection in Europe occurred last summer/autumn. If in-calf cows were to have been affected in a similar manner to sheep, this would not manifest in the new born calves until later on, as the gestation period for bovines is about 280 days as opposed to 150 days for sheep. The virus distribution is mainly concentrated across north-central parts of Continental Europe (Netherlands, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Italy and Belgium) and southern areas of England. In the region of 1,000 farms are confirmed as being affected with these congenital defects so far.

The Commission in collaboration with the Member States through SCOFACH (relevant EU Standing Committee) has published a guidance document on its website in which it sets out full details of the knowledge to date on the virus and procedures for providing surveillance data to the European Food Safety Authority who have been charged with providing a full report on the virus by end of May 2012.

The Department has notified relevant persons (Veterinary staff and practitioners) to report and submit samples of any animals showing unexplained clinical symptoms of the disease or suspect birth defects. There is no suitable test yet available for general surveillance purposes. However, a PCR test to detect the virus is currently in use in my Department Laboratories. Some 58 samples tested to date in the Department's laboratory samples from animals presenting with clinical signs that may be associated with infection have tested negative.

Single Market rules preclude Member States from interfering with intra-union trade in animals except on legitimate animal health grounds. Accordingly, animals are free to move in trade in the Union provided they are certified as being compliant with animal health rules. Importers should ensure that any such imports are fully compliant with EU rules and that they operate to the highest standards of bio-security to ensure that no diseases are introduced to Ireland via such imports or the vehicles transporting them.

A Departmental group chaired by the Secretary General is monitoring developments is respect of the virus. We will continue to monitor this developing situation, maintain close contact with our colleagues in Northern Ireland, and will review as appropriate in light of any new information that becomes available or with the development of new testing capabilities.