§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what controls exist to ensure that live cattle imported into the United Kingdom are free from bovine tuberculosis.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonUnder European Community rules cattle intended for breeding or production imported from other member states must originate from officially tuberculosis-free herds and they must be tested for bovine tuberculosis with negative results in the 30 days before export. Additionally, such cattle imported from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland must be tested again, with negative results, 60 days after import. Cattle intended for slaughter imported from other member states must either originate from officially tuberculosis-free herds or be tested for bovine tuberculosis with negative results in the 30 days before export.
Head of cattle 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 Breeding cattle 489 614 342 229 413 413 2,306 Fats and stores 133,607 187,227 213,253 217,705 231,087 150,573 174,887 Calves 2,394 2,207 1,627 2,625 429 109 510 Total 136,490 190,048 215,222 220,559 231,929 151,095 177,703