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Bovine Disease Controls

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2010

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

Ceisteanna (86, 87, 88)

Johnny Brady

Ceist:

93 Deputy Johnny Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the benefits for farmers arising from his recently announced arrangements on TB testing for cattle going direct to slaughter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21845/10]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

116 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the change to TB testing rules to allow the slaughter of cattle that are more than 12 months since their last TB test will carry an additional cost for farmers; if additional testing as part of the scheme is required; the implications that the changes may have on contiguous herds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21996/10]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Johnny Brady

Ceist:

124 Deputy Johnny Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to enhance the controls in place for TB testing under the continuous testing programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21846/10]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 93, 116 and 124 together.

Following a review of the current TB testing arrangements and consultation both with the European Commission and the farming organisations, I recently introduced changes to the TB testing rules for cattle going direct to slaughter. These changes came into effect on 4 May. Previously, where animals that had not been tested within the previous 12 months were presented for slaughter, they were returned to the holding which was then usually restricted because the TB rules require that all animals on a holding, with the exception of calves under six weeks old born on the holding, are tested at yearly intervals. As a result of the revised arrangement, such cattle will now be accepted by slaughter plants. However, as there is no change to the yearly test rule for animals, action must be taken by the District Veterinary Offices in respect of the herds concerned to ensure that herd owners comply with this requirement. This follow-up action by the DVOs will include trade restriction, where appropriate, depending on the proportion of the herd that is out of test, whether the herd itself has been tested within the previous 12 months and the length of time an animal is out of test.

The main benefit of the change is that the cost of testing cattle going direct to slaughter will be reduced. There will be no additional cost to the farmer as a result of the new arrangement. With regard to additional testing, no change is being made to the general rule that all animals in a herd must be tested every 12 months.

My Department also intends to enhance the contiguous testing programme. While the arrangements have not been finalised, it is intended to impose a temporary trade restriction on certain holdings contiguous to a herd in which disease has been disclosed in the case of high risk breakdowns. In such cases, trading status would be immediately restored once the herd passes the contiguous test. The rationale for the proposal is to prevent the spread of disease to other herds. With regard to the testing fees for contiguous tests, the general rule is that in most cases the Department pays for such tests, unless it happens to coincide with the normal annual test.

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