Vol. 487 No. 4
147 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the animals of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo have to have a 30 day test as she is not selling any animals and cannot afford the costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4409/98]
Under the new measures to combat brucellosis which I will introduce from 23 February 1998 all eligible animals being moved into or out of holdings other than direct to a slaughter premises must have passed a blood test within 30 days preceding the date of movement. In addition, a full round of blood testing all eligible animals is being undertaken in 1998. In the normal way, farmers will be required to pay their veterinary practitioners for taking blood samples.
However, I understand that the herd of the person in question is contiguous to a breakdown herd and will be subject to a herd test shortly. Under the contiguous programme my Department will be paying for this and will be contacting her in this regard in the near future.
