Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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407. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the different rules, regulations or procedures that normal herdowners must adhere to when they are restricted due to tuberculosis compared to those operating herds with feedlot status will be clarified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10889/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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When TB is disclosed in any type of herd, that herd:

- is immediately restricted and cannot sell animals on the open market;

- may move animals direct to slaughter;

- must isolate the reactor animals from the rest of the herd;

- must remove reactor animals to slaughter within 30 days of disclosure;

- must disinfect the premises;

- must undergo two clear herd tests, 60 days apart, in order for the restriction to be lifted and to allow open market sales to resume.

Non-feedlot herds restricted under the TB Regulations may not purchase in animals until one clear test has been completed.

Due to the nature of some farming enterprises, the keeper may wish to buy in more cattle before a test has been carried out. Insisting that this is done may entail the testing of, in some cases, over a thousand cattle that, in any event will shortly be sent direct for slaughter. This could be considered as a wasteful exercise in terms of resources, both human and financial, and also in terms of disease control. To allow the enterprise to continue to function as a commercial entity, the TB programme makes provision for such herds to apply for a particular type of category which is referred to as ‘Feedlot Status’.

Herds which are granted feedlot status are restricted under the TB Regulations and may be granted permission to continue to purchase animals prior to a test taking place once a special supervisory protocol is in place, which includes enhanced biosecurity. The retest requirements will be determined by the Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) based on an assessment of the disease situation. Feedlot herds remain restricted until two clear tests have been completed. Once a herd has been derestricted, the status of “Feedlot” under the TB programme no longer applies, since this is a status applicable only to restricted herds.

Feedlot status is only granted when there is no evidence that within-herd transmission or spread of disease is occurring. Where there is evidence of within-herd spread, the feedlot status is withdrawn and the usual rules apply.

Feedlot herds when restricted for TB are not eligible for compensation while, in general, non-feedlot herds are eligible for compensation.