Vol. 431 No. 1
107 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will give details of the TB status of a herd (details supplied) in County Wexford; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the herd tested positive and then subsequently clear; if he will give the reason for the delay in having a State vet carry out a third test; when the matter will be fully resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
On 6 November 1992, a full herd test for bovine tuberculosis was completed on the herd in question. One of the animals was deemed to be a reactor. On 5 February 1993, the herd owner's veterinary practitioner completed the first reactor retest which revealed the presence of two reactors.
On 29 April 1993, a Department veterinary inspector completed the second reactor retest on this herd which did not reveal the presence of infection. A further reactor retest has been scheduled on the basis of the normal test interval for 20 June 1993 which will be again conducted by a Department veterinary inspector. If no evidence of TB infection is found, the holding will be derestricted.
