Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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Question 547: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is definitive evidence that the Schmallenberg virus cannot be transmitted animal to animal and if he has been in contact with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Assembly with a view to adopting an all-Ireland approach to ensuring the virus does not make it to these shores; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15434/12]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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Question 548: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of the beef and sheep meat trades respectively that involve live imports; if he has considered restrictions to these imports in view of the Schmallenberg virus outbreak in the United Kingdom and Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15435/12]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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Question 549: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the provisions he has adopted to ensure that there is not an outbreak in the national herd and flock of the Schmallenberg virus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15436/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 547 to 549, inclusive, together.

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) was confirmed in December 2011 following the birth of deformed lambs in the Netherlands. Its manifestation in adult cattle (as low grade fever and unexplained milk drop-from which animals made a full recovery) had been under investigation in Germany and the Netherlands since summer/autumn 2011. The current situation is that it has now been recorded in eight Member States (Germany, Belgium, France, Luxemburg, UK, Netherlands, Spain and Italy) on about 2000 farms in total (out of a total ruminant population of 85 million). It is not a notifiable disease as it doesn't meet the OIE criteria for notification mainly because neither morbidity nor mortality appear to be significant. There are currently no trade implications for movement of animals or products within the EU. Animals may move subject to normal health inspection and certification systems.

The virus is a newly emerging disease. The information available on the Schmallenberg virus suggests that this is part of the Simbu serogroup of viruses, which are mostly found in ruminants in Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East and are primarily transmitted by insect vectors (midges, mosquitoes) with no direct transmission from animal to animal.

Vertical transmission for SBV is suspected given the infections of foetuses. SBV can be identified through PCR testing. There is currently no serological (blood) test available for large scale testing but work is in place to develop one. No vaccines are currently available.

The EU Commission in collaboration with the MS through the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) 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 Agency (EFSA) who have been tasked with providing a full report on the virus by end of May 2012. An interim report is due by 31 March 2012. The Commission is also working to dissuade third countries from placing restrictions on trade, as in line with OIE recommendations, there is no justification for any ban on milk or meat as these commodities do not pose any risk for Schmallenberg Virus transmission. The Commissioner briefed yesterday's Agriculture Council on this point.

There is no evidence to suggest that the disease is transmissible to humans. To date, people who have been in close contact with infected animals (e.g. animal workers, farmers and veterinarians) have not reported any unusual illnesses. The 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.

There is no evidence that the virus is present in this country. Equally there is no proof in the absence of tools for sero-surveillance that it is not here. My Department has notified relevant persons (Veterinary staff/PVPs) to report and submit samples of any animals showing unexplained clinical symptoms of SBV or suspect birth defects. Samples from 63 animals tested to date in the Department's laboratory from animals presenting with clinical signs that may be associated with infection have tested negative.

Applying additional controls at entry points would not add anything by way of increased bio-security. Such a move would also be contrary to current European animal health law. 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. My Department would always urge importers to ensure that any 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.

We will continue to monitor this developing situation, maintain close contact with the Commission, our EU colleagues including Northern Ireland and will review and modify our response as appropriate in light of any new information that becomes available or with the development of new testing capabilities.