THE Environmental Protection Agency yesterday undertook to extend its investigation of animal deaths in Askeaton, Co Limerick, if clinical indications of horses dying there from a rare intestinal tract condition are proven.
The Sheehy family, who run a 300 acre farm and horse breeding facility, claim that postmortem examinations on their horses confirm chronic enteric disease. Tissues from the dead animals also indicated a high level of aluminium, they claimed.
However, Dr Brian Sheahan of UCD veterinary pathology department said that the chronic enteric disease was not associated with aluminium toxicity.
The Department of Agriculture, which commissioned the EPA study, disputed the Sheehys' account of the Department's dealing with them since 1995.
Mrs Sheehy said they had not participated in the EPA study because they were not allowed seek independent scientific verification. They had withdrawn from the EPA hearing on an integrated pollution control licence for Aughinish Alumina because with the local community, they were not happy with the latest EPA findings.
They had secured independent scientific evidence of pollution, indicated by a high level of aluminium in tissues taken from the farm. Based on this, she expected the EPA to apply its resources and seek outside expertise if necessary in trying to find the cause.
Since the early 1990s, she claimed, 62 horses and more than 100 cattle had died on the farm - almost the combined total of deaths on the Ryan and Somers farms which have been subject to most scientific investigation. They had also had independent indications of their sheep suffering as a consequence of acid rain.
The horses had not thrived and had skin lesions. She believed that whatever was responsible it was airborne and that the threat had diminished because the normally prevalent westerly winds were less regular over the past 18 months.
The details emerged on Friday when the Sheehys presented a statement to the EPA, objecting to its proposed restrictions on sulphur dioxide emissions from the nearby Aughinish Alumina plant which processes bauxite into aluminium oxide.
Aughinish Aluinina reiterated yesterday it would vigorously defend its environmental record. The Sheehys should make available any scientific evidence to the EPA, a spokesman said. The company wanted an end to claims being made as to the source of the problem without any evidence.
The Sheehys said their objections were "based on clinical and pathological details ascertained from animal deaths"; specifically, postmortem examinations on two mares and two colts at the Irish Equine Centre, Co Kildare, had indicated the rare granulomatous enteritis condition. The centre was not available for comment.
The disease entails chronic gut inflammation. The skin and liver may also be affected. Animals suffer weight loss, do not thrive and yet maintain good appetite. Their intestines thicken, impairing the absorption of nutrients. There is no effective treatment.
The Department of Agriculture said however, that its initial inquiries in 1995 suggested the horses were suffering from a condition known as strangles - but the Sheehys would not allow its veterinary staff to pursue their investigation. Their farm was among 25 to be surveyed and later listed among five severely affected for more detailed examination.
Over £2 million has been spent on trying to find the cause of farm deaths in Askeaton.
Last May, Department representatives met the Sheehys at theirrequest. The Department's offer to examine their farm had been rejected again. "When asked the purpose of their seeking a meeting, the Sheehys responded that they wanted to discuss compensation from the State. They were told that there could be no question of such compensation," a spokesman said.
Meanwhile Prof Sheahan said the pathology of granulomatous enteritis was not suggestive of a toxic reaction. "It's not the kind of thing you would associate with direct intoxication of aluminium."
The disease was sporadic and its cause unknown. He was not prepared to comment on the Sheehy case without seeing detailed pathological results.
High aluminium levels in tissues of affected horses may be a coincidence, Dr Paul Toner of the EPA said. It is the third most common element in the earth's crust and is common in tissues, soils and herbage. "We have been measuring acid rain in the area and have found nothing out of the ordinary."
The EPA director, Dr lain MacLean, said continuous monitoring of emissions was in place in Askeaton. Self monitoring by industry was a "very important aspect in the enforcement of licences", he admitted. But when a breach of trust occurred, surveillance was stepped up. He rejected suggestions that it did not have sufficient monitoring equipment.
