Vol. 463 No. 4
147 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will supply the information as promised in Parliamentary Question No. 229 of 5 March 1996, in view of the fact that this information has been available in his Department for some months. [6707/96]
The information requested was supplied to the Deputy by letter dated 14 March 1996 in respect of the years 1992 to 1995 inclusive. The only figure not provided in respect of 1995 was the number of animals that were identified in subsequent reactor retests to initial pre-movement positive index tests. Based on comparable data for previous years this figure is currently estimated at 1,000 reactor animals for 1995. The actual figure will be determined by analysis of a separate research data base which is due to be updated with the 1995 data in the next few weeks.
As I have already mentioned in my letter to the Deputy this data is of a highly technical nature and the questions themselves could be open to different interpretation. I am happy to reiterate my offer to arrange a meeting with my officials regarding any further clarifications which the Deputy may wish to have.
