Vol. 491 No. 3
217 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the procedure at the beef slaughtering factory when an animal arrives having lost its identification en route; if he will outline details of the disease control procedures on the farm in the event of the animal being returned to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12126/98]
Factory lairages are considered as "restricted" premises due to the possible presence of reactor animals identified under the tuberculosis and brucellosis eradication programme.
If an animal is returned home under permit from these premises, that animal is considered to have a suspect status until such time as a test is carried out. When an animal is returned to the holding of origin under permit, the herdowner — person in charge is advised that the animal must be isolated and tested privately. If the animal is not isolated, the herd is restricted and a full herd test must be carried out, at the herdowners expense, after 60 days.
The replacement of the double yellow tags introduced in 1996 is a matter for the herdowner under the normal regulations.
