John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Sligo must have two herd tests; if this person's herd test will be scheduled for the last week in August in order that the results and documentation from this herd can be used for the September special animal sales; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12304/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In view of the level of TB and brucellosis in Ireland, all herds are required by EU Directive 64/432/EEC to have one annual test for TB and brucellosis in order to maintain official free status and dependent trading opportunities. In order to facilitate the completion of the annual programme of tests and follow-up of disease detected, all such testing is conducted on an area, district electoral division, DED, basis and is organised into phases such that there is, as far a practicable, an even distribution of workload throughout the year, taking into consideration daylight, prevailing weather conditions and availability of private veterinary practitioners. The annual, round, herd test for the herdowner in question is due for completion in the course of the first phase, that is, before 12 June 2005. In this regard, I should point out that the annual herd test on his herd was carried out on 8 July in 2004 and on 10 May in 2003.

Eligible animals being moved out of a herd must have passed a TB test within the previous 12 months and a brucellosis test within the previous 30 days. All farmers would like to have their herd tests scheduled at peak sales periods to avoid having to privately test animals they wish to sell, such as for special sales in the autumn. However it would be impossible to manage the testing programme if all herd tests were to be scheduled for this time period. It is therefore my policy not to reschedule the routine round tests out of their planned current phase unless there is a compelling disease reason to do so.