asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason monthly tests are being carried out on cattle owned by a person (details supplied) in County Cork despite the fact that there is no apparent threat of disease; the reason the cattle have been impounded; and the reason they have not been returned along with blue cards to their owner.
Written Answers. - County Cork Cattle Testing.
105.
I am informed by the director of ERAD that the herd in question has had one brucellosis reactor animal disclosed in each of four monthly tests since April 1988. No reactors have been disclosed in further monthly tests carried out since August 1988 but the herd is still restricted.
The herdowner maintains a suckler herd and has no facilities for wintering his stock and apparently shares such facilities on his father's farm. His father, who has land close by, has had 26 brucellosis reactor animals disclosed in five monthly herd tests concluded since April 1988. This herd has also disclosed no reactors in tests carried out since September 1988.
ERAD is endeavouring to depopulate both of these herds which are regarded as infected with brucellosis and which, for veterinary reasons, will remain restricted and continue to be subjected to monthly testing.