Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-02-28-Speech-3-080"
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"en.20010228.5.3-080"2
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"The fact that BSE and its impact both on farmers and consumers continues to dominate our political agenda is an indication of the seriousness of the current crisis. However, the preventive measures that have been put in place such as the ban on meat-and-bone meal should, on scientific evidence, see the elimination of BSE and its threat to human health.
The testing of all animals over 30 months and the removal of specified risk material should go a long way in restoring consumer confidence. For example, in Ireland, out of 48 000 cattle tested there has not been one reactor to the BSE test, and to me that is an indication that the disease is confined to other animals in the suckler cow and dairy herds.
My concern is that it will take some time through natural wastage to effect their removal and I would ask the Commissioner to examine ways of expediting this process. The emergence of BSE in the older animal group tends to undermine consumer confidence even if they are not destined for the food chain.
I agree with the Commissioner on the need to rebalance the market. The ‘purchase for destruction’ scheme may be necessary in the short term but it is immoral and certainly alien to the ethos of farming.
I would urge the Commission again to examine the possibilities and its policy in relation to food aid. There are a lot of people who believe, Commissioner, that something more positive could be done with this quality meat product. I caution against panic measures in relation to the long-term future of Europe’s beef industry. We must be optimistic even in the face of crisis and plan for a viable future, albeit within a new framework, in relation to production at farm level.
In conclusion, from an Irish perspective, I believe that any attempt to reduce the size of the beef herd would be contrary to our national interest."@en1
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