Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the contribution the witnesses make to the local rural economy from an agricultural point of view. I have a follow-on question based on what Deputy McConalogue said about the call for vets to become part of the Border surveillance system in the event of Brexit. What are the implications of Brexit from a TB testing point of view? Vets are contracted to do TB testing for farmers at specific times of the year. A time is set out and nearly every farmer knows at this stage when he will have a TB test. What effect will it have on TB if vets leave their practice and become involved in the inspection control work?

We heard much commentary from Professor More, and we dealt with the matter before Christmas as well. What percentage of a vet's time is spent on TB testing? Is the figure available? In some cases a vet could spend a full day or a half day on a farm. The job of a vet is a busy one anyway. I noticed smiles on the faces of some when I asked a question previously about the target of TB-free status being achieved by 2030. In the event of that day arriving, how much free time do the witnesses believe vets will have and what will they do with it? Do the witnesses believe the target is achievable?