Vol. 462 No. 2
238 Mr. O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to reinstate the pre-movement test in view of the fact that this compulsory pre-movement test is paid for by farmers themselves and is therefore of no cost to the Exchequer; if not, the alternative measures, if any, he has in mind in view of the widespread concern among farmers to retain the 60 day pre-movement test in order to prevent the spread of disease. [4175/96]
The removal of the compulsory requirement that cattle must be pre-movement tested for TB within two months of movement is included as part of an overall revamping of the disease eradication programme involving inter alia the develovement of additional responsibility to farmers in protecting their own herds. Under the new arrangements, herdowners can continue to test cattle prior to movement while those buying cattle can insist on purchasing animals which have been pre-movement tested and/or can have cattle tested after purchase. The new arrangements include measures which will encourage farmers to arrange pre and post movement tests of cattle on a voluntary basis.
