Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 October 2004
81 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, during the last foot and mouth epidemic, her Department demanded or requested that artificial insemination operators working from the Clarecastle artificial insemination station should cease operations; if a statutory instrument was used to ensure that artificial inseminators did not travel from farm to farm; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24804/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the initial period following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Northern Ireland in 2001, the ten organisations licensed to provide an artificial insemination, AI, service in this country were asked by my Department to voluntarily suspend operations in the national interest. All ten organisations acceded to this request. The matter was kept under review and after much deliberation my Department concluded that it was necessary to formally introduce a new licensing system on all AI and the movement of semen. This was given effect in respect of bovines by way of SI 144 of 2001 and SI 161 of 2001. SI 381 of 2001 provided for licensing of AI and embryo transfer in sheep. In effect AI technicians were prohibited from practising for the period 5 April 2001 to 23 April 2001.
My Department agreed a framework for the resumption of the AI post-23 April 2001 with the field service licence holders. It was agreed that AI technicians would have to be given appropriate training and certified by their respective centre veterinarians before they could be issued with a bovine semen licence as provided for under SI 144 of 2001. AI technicians must possess a valid bovine semen licence and must be licensed to work on behalf of a field service licence holder in order to practice AI.
