Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Apr 1994

Vol. 442 No. 1

Written Answers. - Bovine TB Reactors.

Liz McManus

Question:

89 Ms. McManus asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to amend the legislation governing the removal of TB reactors from farms without agreement in view of the High Court judgement given on 3 October 1989, and the subsequent decision of the State to withdraw an appeal to the Supreme Court; in view of the current uncertainty regarding the powers to seize reactors without agreement, if he will urge the Minister for Justice to consider releasing from prison a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who was recently sentenced to three months in jail; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

Following the High Court judgment of 3 October 1989 referred to by the Deputy, the Bovine Tuberculosis (Attestation of the State and General Provisions) Order 1989 was introduced with effect from 4 December 1989. There is no uncertainty regarding the existing legal requirement on a herd-owner to remove reactor animals under this order. The person referred to by the Deputy was prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecutions for a breach of the above mentioned order in respect of his failure to remove a reactor cow from his premises and his position is entirely a court matter.