Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 541: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 769 of 6 June, 2012 the evidence of interference there was with the TB test; if he will produce the evidence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29301/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The evidence showing interference with the TB test has been provided to the herdowner in question in the context of a court hearing in February 2011 and, more recently, through the release of documentation under the FOI. It should also be noted that Article 7 of the Bovine Tuberculosis (Attestation of the State and General Provisions ) Order, 1989 clearly lays the responsibility on the owner or person in charge to prevent interference with the TB test. In particular, Article 7(2) obliges the owner or person in charge of an animal to take such care of an animal as to ensure that any substance cannot be introduced into the body of an animal for the purpose of affecting the accuracy of the test.