Vol. 519 No. 5
127 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reasons an inconclusive tuberculosis reactor animal will prevent export certificates being issued to the remaining animals in the herd; if he has had consideration made into the implications for the weanling export trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14118/00]
Under council directive 64/432/EEC, as amended by directive 98/46/EC, the officially tuberculosis free status of a herd is suspended when an inconclusive test result is disclosed in an animal(s) in the herd.
The directive provides a derogation which allows internal trade from such herds provided they had not experienced a TB restriction in the previous three years and provided that no animals from the holding are allowed to enter into intra-community trade until the status of any inconclusive reactors has been resolved.
The status of the inconclusive reactor(s) can be resolved by a further test after 42 days. If this test is clear the officially tuberculosis free status can be restored and animals from the herd would again be eligible for intra-Community trade provided the other conditions for export are fulfilled.
All member states are obliged to comply with the provisions of EU legislation.
