Paul Connaughton
Question:12 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans he has to introduce a tuberculosis pre-movement test; and the reason this is necessary. [17713/00]
Other Questions. - Bovine Diseases.
The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness provides, inter alia, that additional measures relating to movement controls will be considered as part of the new four year programme, the objective of which is to reduce the incidence of TB by 50%. Preliminary discussions have taken place on this issue which will be finalised in the context of the Animal Health Forum.
I take it from the Minister of State's reply that there will be a 60 day pre-movement test. From an animal disease and veterinary point of view, on what grounds will these be based?
I do not know to what the Deputy is referring because a decision on the issue has not been taken.
Is the Minister of State ruling out the test?
My Department is having ongoing meetings with farmers. One of the issues being discussed is movement control and so on. I would refer the Deputy to section 17 of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness which states, "Additional measures relating to movement controls will be considered in the framework of the Animal Health Forum." This is part of the overall programme agreed with the farming organisations.
We will have a pre-movement test?
I did not say that, nor have I authority to do so because nothing has been agreed. The Deputy will be aware that there have been ongoing negotiations on animal diseases with farmers and all interested parties over a number of years. He will be further aware that the animal disease programme has cost in excess of £1 billion of taxpayers' money since its introduction.
Can the Minister of State guarantee there will be—
What is the veterinary reason for the introduction of this test? The disease incidence over the years does not seem to correspond with the amount of testing carried out. We should provide quality testing to get rid of badgers about which there is no mention.
There is no change in any programme as of today. As I already said, there are ongoing meetings—
The dogs in the streets know that.
I can only give the Deputy the facts.
(Interruptions).
Did the discontinuance of the pre-movement test a number of years ago have an adverse effect on TB statistics? I believe it did?
There is a school of thought that this did have such an effect and the change was not satisfactory.
Everyone is paying for that.
The Deputy's party made farmers pay for the annual test.
(Interruptions).
If the Deputy wishes, he can raise the issue on the Adjournment Debate, and we will reply further.