HC Deb 21 January 1985 vol 71 c305W
Mr. Nicholson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many store cattle were imported from the Republic of Ireland in each of the last three years.

Mr. MacGregor

The numbers of store cattle imported into the United Kingdom from the Republic of Ireland in each of the last three years are as follows:

(thousand head)
1982 1983 9184
125 123 123

The figure for 1982 includes an estimate of 10,000 head for unrecorded imports in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Nicholson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list any restrictions which are placed on imported store cattle from the Republic of Ireland.

Mrs. Fenner

Under common EC conditions designed to prevent the introduction of disease into Great Britain from other states, store cattle imported from the Republic of Ireland must be tested for brucellosis, tuberculosis and in certain cases enzootic bovine leukosis and be certified to have come from herds free of these diseases. The cattle must also be examined for evidence of other infections or contagious diseases and be certified to have been imported from a holding in an area clear of foot and mouth disease and bovine brucellosis during the preceding three months. Transport conditions are also laid down that are designed to eliminate the risk of contact with animals of a lesser health status.

Mr. Nicholson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what restrictions apply to store cattle exported from Northern Ireland to other parts of the United Kingdom; and if he will list them.

Mrs. Fenner

Under conditions designed to prevent the introduction of disease into Great Britain, store cattle imported from Northern Ireland undergo testing for brucellosis and tuberculosis and are certified to have come from herds free of these diseases. The cattle are also examined for evidence of other infections or contagious diseases and kept separate from animals that do not satisfy these conditions.

Forward to