Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1297. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to a recent parliamentary question, where data was requested on his Department's decision to introduce mandatory TB testing of bovines over 36 months of age at six-month intervals and where such a decision was agreed, by which industry stakeholders; the specific fora; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55210/22]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1298. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will identify and state the exact references contained in the EU animal health law regulation 2016/429, which he has referenced as the data source for implementing the new six-month TB testing rule for animals over 36 months of age that will be moved through livestock marts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55211/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1297 and 1298 together.

In April 2021 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689, of the 17^thDecember 2019, supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and the Council, came into effect. Annex IV, Part 2, Section 2 of this regulation requires that for herds to maintain their TB Free Status all animals, over the age of six weeks, moving into their herds must be TB tested either within the 30 days prior to movement or within 30 days after movement into their herd.

By way of derogation, this 30-day pre or post movement test is not required if both the animals that are moving and the herds from which they are moving have been tested in the previous six months. The aim of these regulations is to prevent and control animal diseases transmissible to animals or to humans.

These regulations are mandatory in nature and directly applicable across all EU member states. They enable herds maintain a TB Free Status to trade on the open market. Most animals being moved currently satisfy the requirements.

While my Department can discuss the mechanics of their implementation with stakeholders, as the competent authority we are mandated by law to proceed with implementation. The implementation of these regulations has been discussed with the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum on several occasions. 

The implementation of the Bovine TB Eradication Strategy 2021-2030 is overseen by the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum along with support from three working groups – a scientific group, an implementation group and a finance group to ensure that all aspects of the Strategy are addressed. The Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum and its working groups comprise of representatives from across the agri-food sector, leading researchers, farming organisations and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Please see the attached document detailing the relevant organisations.

The three working groups report to the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum. The minutes in respect of all TB Forum and working group meetings are available to read on www.bovinetb.ie.

The first phase will come into effect on 1^stFebruary 2023.

For the first phase the requirements are that:

- Cows of all ages, and males over the age of 36 months that are moving farm to farm or through a mart must be:

- TB tested in the last 6 months and

- Moving from a herd that has been tested in the last 6 months.

If they do not fulfil both these requirements then they must then be tested, either within the 30 days prior to movement or within 30 days after movement into the new herd.

Animals that require a test in the 30 days after movement will be restricted immediately to the herd into which they have moved.

- This means the animal cannot move from this herd other than directly to slaughter.

- This herd has 30 days to carry out a test on those animals.

- Once the animal tests clear the restriction on the animal will be automatically lifted.

- If after the initial 30 days, the animal is still alive and has not been tested then the herd will be automatically restricted, and no cattle will be allowed moved off the farm except directly to slaughter.

- Herds thus restricted may be allowed to move animals in during this period of restriction and may be allowed to move out calves, less than 6 weeks of age, but these calves are not eligible for export while the herd remains restricted.

- If a farmer tests or slaughters the animal within the next 60 days the restriction on the herd will be lifted automatically, provided the animal tests clear.

- If after 90 days of movement into the herd, the animal is still alive and has not been tested, the herd will then be scheduled for a full herd test. Sales of calves under six weeks of age and purchase in will continue to be facilitated up until the day before the test is due.

At present, no date has been set for implementation of the second phase, which will see the same requirements applied to all animals over the age of six weeks. The implementation of phase two will be discussed with the Implementation Working Group of the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum after phase one has been implemented.