Mr. Lorcan McCabe:

There has been engagement on the pre- and post-movement testing and new animal health laws. The conclusion is that this testing will apply to female animals and breeding bulls. They are the highest risk animals. We have constantly said that anything beyond the annual test should be paid for by the Department. Farmers have been paying for the annual test for years. We have constantly said, even though it has gone further than we would like, that it can be either a pre- or post-movement test.

We see huge problems with the post-movement test that we have to iron out. If the herd has not been tested in six months, an animal from that herd must be tested again before or directly after it is sold. There is that option. We would be happier if the testing was pre-movement because the problem is identified in the herd before the animal moves to another herd. If it goes to another herd, more problems arise because if the testing is not done on time, the herd is locked up for 30 days. A question we have to put to the Department is whether it further complicate things if you have more reactors. It is a new animal health law and will affect all animals within the next couple of years.