The Department of Agriculture and Food has admitted that animal health arrangements are not effective in tackling the increasing numbers of cattle becoming ill with Johne's Disease, which has been linked to Crohn's disease in humans.
The incidence of the disease has increased dramatically, with more cases in Irish herds in 2002 than in the previous 50 years.
One theory about the increase in the number of Irish cases of the disease, which causes cattle to lose condition and eventually die, is that it may have been caused by the importation of high-grade milking animals from the Netherlands.
There the incidence of the disease has traditionally been very high in the national herd.
The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Mr Liam Aylward, confirmed yesterday that his Department is undertaking a review of the approach to deal with Johne's Disease in cattle.
"The regime, which has operated since 1955 (which included slaughter and compensation), is clearly not effective in tackling the disease, and we are seeing numbers of Johne's cases increasing," he said.
"It is equally apparent that the Department alone cannot deal with the issue and that success in tackling the problem of Johne's disease is achievable only on the basis of a sustained commitment by all of the key players," he added.
Mr Aylward said this included farmers and their representative organisation, dairy co-ops, cattle breed societies, veterinary surgeons, Teagasc and the Department, each playing a defined role within an integrated policy.
"What we now need to do is formulate an effective approach to this issue, which will have direction, momentum and the commitment of all concerned," he said.
He added that, regarding the speculation of a possible link between Johne's disease and Crohn's disease in humans, the scientific committee of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland had advised that there was insufficient evidence to confirm a link between Johne's disease and Crohn's disease".
The EU's scientific committee on animal health and welfare concluded there was insufficient evidence to draw any firm conclusions about such a link.
Mr Aylward said, nevertheless, that Johne's was a significant animal health disease with the potential to cause production and animal-welfare problems at farm level.
The number of reported cases of Johne's disease in Ireland has increased significantly in recent years. In the 50-year period from 1932 to 1982 a total of 92 animals were diagnosed with the disease.
In 2002 alone, 100 animals in 34 herds were diagnosed as having Johne's disease, with one entire herd being depopulated.
Mr Aylward said he had asked his officials to complete the review as quickly as possible in consultation with all key players.
His officials had initiated contacts with the various parties with a view to undertaking a round of meetings in May with all interested parties as a first step in formalising a new approach to this matter.