Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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121. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE, on a farm in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24009/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, a cow on a farm in County Louth has tested positively for BSE. The animal was not presented for slaughter and did not enter the food or feed chain. The case was identified through the ongoing surveillance system of my Department. This surveillance system is part of the overall control systems in place to protect the food and feed chain. A series of confirmatory tests is now being undertaken and the final results will be available shortly.

Ireland’s BSE surveillance and controls are effective and consistent with legal requirements and best international practice. These controls are applied at different stages along the feed and food supply chain, supplementing and reinforcing each other to ensure the safety of the food and feed chain. The effective and systematic application of these controls, in accordance with EU and OIE rules, means that beef and beef products may be safely traded internationally.

The OIE has this week stated that it very much respects the integrity and transparency demonstrated by Ireland in providing preliminary information on this suspect case. It further commends the commitment to the protection of animal and human health as demonstrated by the effectiveness of the ongoing BSE surveillance program and the controls in place that prevented any part of the animal from entering the human food or animal feed chain.

In accordance with normal procedure, cases of BSE are subject to a full epidemiological investigation. The investigation of this particular case is now underway and will be concluded as soon as possible. The birth cohorts - animals born and reared in the herd of birth, around the same time as the positive animal - and progeny of the infected animal have been traced and will be sent for destruction and tested as a precaution.

I am confident that the controls being applied by my Department are among the best in the world.The record of Irish agriculture in producing beef and other products to such a high standard will continue to be important to us and the proven success of our control and monitoring regime will continue to enhance our reputation as one of the best food producers in the world.