Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 March 2004
217 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the guidelines laid down for persons who wish to work as artificial inseminators with a livestock company; the examinations or training which have to be completed before they become qualified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7624/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraPersons wishing to practice bovine artificial inseminations, AI, on behalf of a company, appropriately licensed by my Department to provide a bovine artificial insemination field service, must possess a current bovine semen licence. In order to obtain a bovine semen licence, a person must be employed by, or contracted to one of the seven AI companies licensed by my Department for the purposes of providing an AI field service in this country. In addition, they must have undergone an appropriate training programme approved by my Department. The centre veterinarian of the licensed AI company must also certify that they are sufficiently trained and must undertake to fully supervise them during the performance of their duties. My Department also holds examinations for persons who hold a bovine semen licence to assess their level of proficiency.
