The European Communities (Trade in Bovine Breeding Animals, their Semen, Ova and Embryos) Regulations 1996 set out conditions that regulate the trade in, approval for breeding of breeding animals, their semen, ova and embryos, excluding embryos derived by transfer of nuclei. In particular, Schedule J to these regulations sets out the conditions applying to donor animals and requires, among other things, that the donor animals must come from herds that are officially brucellosis free or brucellosis free. Thus the harvesting of embryos from animals in brucellosis restricted herds is prohibited.
Brucellosis is a contagious disease primarily affecting cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and occasionally horses and dogs. In Ireland the disease is found in bovines and is the subject of an eradication programme. It is acknowledged that congenital infection can occur in calves born to infected dams. Whilst infection in calves may persist for only a short period, some calves born to infected dams continue to excrete brucella abortus in their faeces for a considerable period of time and are thus a source of infection for other animals and herds.
As well as the economic losses associated with the disease, infection with brucella abortus presents a potential risk to human health. Humans become infected by coming in contact with animals or animal products that are contaminated with these bacteria. In humans brucellosis can cause a range of long lasting symptoms that are similar to flu and may include fever, sweats, headaches, back pains and physical weakness.