Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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1283.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a farmer in County Kerry (details supplied), whose cattle had a clear TB test two weeks before they were sold, has been asked to have a back-tracing TB test after the cattle have passed into two more herd numbers since being sold; if these herd owners have been tested; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35342/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The original herd referred to in this question sold two animals on 27 March 2024. These two animals subsequently tested positive on a TB skin test in another herd on 20 June 2024.

Under EU and Irish rules relating to the control of bTB my Department is required to suspend the Disease Free Status (DFS) of the herd where a suspected case of bTB occurred until further investigation and an epidemiological enquiry are concluded.

As part of the investigation, backward tracing of animals that fail a TB skin/blood test or confirm TB at slaughter takes place. If such a backward traced animal left the herd of origin more than six weeks prior to disclosure of infection in the subsequent herd, the Disease Free Status of the original herd is suspended until it has carried out cleansing and disinfection and completed one clear herd test, at least 42 days after the animal left the herd.

In this case the animals left the herd of origin more than six weeks prior to disclosure of infection in the subsequent herd and did not have a herd test at least 42 days after these animals were sold. Therefore its Disease Free Status was suspended pending another herd test. The herdowner was notified of this by his local office and was informed that he must complete one clear test at least 42 days after the animals left his herd.