Vol. 537 No. 5
248 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when he expects the condition regarding the holding of cattle for a 30 day period before they can be sold again to be lifted; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this 30 day holding period is making this almost impossible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17098/01]
The requirement to hold cattle for a period of 30 days was, along with many other controls, introduced as part of a range of measures to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease. It is clear that severe hardship would have resulted for the farming and other sectors had the disease taken hold here.
The measures adopted are under continuous review by the expert group appointed to advise on such matters. I have made a number of announcements in recent weeks in relation to the phased dismantling of various controls on the basis of advice from the group.
In relation to the question of the 30 day retention rule, the expert group has today recommended that the rule should be retained for farm to farm movements and for sales through the marts. However, it has provided for an exemption for cattle going for export through approved assembly centres.
