Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Mar 1997

Vol. 477 No. 1

Written Answers. - Tuberculosis Testing.

Ivor Callely

Question:

209 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of cattle tested positive for tuberculosis in 1996; the actual number of cattle that had tuberculosis present in post mortem tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8499/97]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

The number of tuberculosis reactors removed in 1996 was 30,400, 30 per cent of which revealed visible lesions on routine post mortem analysis. The tuberculin test is the EU test for determining TB; the absence of visiable lesions does not mean freedom from TB infection.