Vol. 486 No. 5
61 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his Department has finalised arrangements for the introduction of a compulsory pre-movement test and compulsory annual blood test; his views on whether these should be available free to bona fide farmers; and if he intends to exclude dairy herds which have a monthly milk ring test. [2938/98]
The detailed arrangements for the introduction of a compulsory brucellosis pre-movement testing regime and for a full round of blood testing for all eligible animals are being finalised in consultations with the relevant parties. It is intended that in general farmers will bear the costs of blood sampling at farm level.
I expect to make an announcement on these and other measures to tackle brucellosis in the very near future.
