Vol. 489 No. 6
310 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 140 of 31 March 1998, his Department issues written guidelines to its officials who are obliged to visit pig farms in the course of their duty. [9174/98]
Department field staff are given advice on proper hygienic procedures to be followed on entering and leaving a holding to minimise the risk of the spread of infection between farms including pig farms. In addition, such officers are provided with or have access to supplies of disinfectant together with appropriate protective clothing. My Department also issues annual instructions in this regard to private veterinary practitioners who enter holdings to carry out testing of animals under the disease eradication schemes.
In the case of restricted holdings, herdowners are statutorily obliged to place receptacles containing approved disinfectant at any entrance to or exit from their holding.
There are no specific written guidelines for staff visiting farms.
