Ned O'Keeffe
Question:93 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will arrange to have cattle identity cards returned to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [27192/01]
Written Answers. - Bovine Diseases.
The holding of the person in question has been restricted since July 2000 when five brucellosis reactors were disclosed at the annual round test. Two further reactors were disclosed at subsequent tests, the latest in February 2001. The herd has since undergone four clear tests. The situation in regard to this holding is exacerbated by the fact that it is contiguous to land rented by a dealer, whose home herd was depopulated due to brucellosis in October 2000. Two further herds contiguous to the dealer's home herd were subsequently depopulated and three more are awaiting depopulation. In view of this difficult disease situation all herds adjacent to the land rented by the dealer were included in an expanded brucellosis contiguous testing programme.
Although, as already indicated, the herd in question has tested negative at 4 consecutive tests, veterinary opinion is that infection could be latent in the herd and that it would not be prudent to de-restrict it until a further calving cycle has elapsed. As most of the animals in the herd are female, they cannot be allowed to be sold on the open market because of the risk of spreading infection. In accordance with normal practice in such circumstances, it is not proposed to return the passports/cattle identity cards to the herdowner in question at this stage. However, animals suitable for slaughter may be moved under permit to a meat factory.