Written answers

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food

Animal Diseases

10:00 pm

Photo of Michael MoynihanMichael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1091: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action he will take regarding the apparent botulism from chicken litter which is feared to be present in farms in North Cork; the steps he is taking to ensure that more animals are safe and to ensure that guidelines are in place to prevent this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18181/12]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Botulism is a disease caused by a bacterium of the Clostridia family, the organisms are widely distributed in nature but only occasionally give rise to clinical disease in animals or humans. Outbreaks of botulism occur when cattle consume feed material that has become contaminated with decomposing carcase material and it can also be associated with the storage and spreading of poultry litter where the poultry litter contains remnants of dead poultry.

Botulism is not a notifiable disease in Ireland, but suspected botulism cases should be reported to my Department. The Central and/or Regional Veterinary Laboratories of my Department will carry out field investigations and epidemiological investigations where they are notified of outbreaks of suspected cases. In this regard I can confirm that the Cork Regional Veterinary Laboratory has recently carried out post mortem examinations in relation to two bovine animals that are suspected of having died of botulism. It is important in situations where botulism is suspected for keepers to consult both their private veterinary surgeon and the local regional veterinary laboratory in an effort to rule out other diseases which can present in a similar manner to botulism.

In addition to providing a diagnostic service and information in relation to the disease and prevention, my Department also carries out follow-up investigations in situations where poultry litter is suspected of being the source of a botulism outbreak to ensure that adequate measures are being taken to prevent outbreaks. These investigations involve both the farm where the poultry litter is being spread and the poultry units that supplied the poultry litter. My Department also carries out routine inspections of poultry units to ensure that carcasses of dead poultry are being dealt with appropriately. Random inspections on poultry producers' premises are also carried out to ensure that the necessary procedures are being followed in relation to the disposal of manure and where there is evidence that proper procedures are not being followed, my Department can require that all poultry litter from those premises be sent for rendering.

My Department has been proactive in disseminating information about botulism and has written to dairy processors advising them about the condition and asking them to distribute to their producers an information/advisory note. An "Information Note on Botulism for Veterinary Practitioners" and "Instructions for Practitioners when dealing with suspected cases of Botulism on Farm" has also been circulated to Private Veterinary Practitioners. Guidance notes have also been drawn up by my Department; one for the poultry industry providing advice in relation to the removal of dead birds from poultry litter and one for farmers providing advice on how to minimise the risk when storing and spreading poultry litter. Both sets of guidance notes are available on my Department's website or from local District Veterinary Offices in conjunction with other information relating to botulism. In recent times, my Department has had discussions with industry and farmer representatives with a view to ensuring that the guidelines are being adhered to in order to minimise the risk of botulism outbreaks.

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