asked the Minister for Agriculture how successful the 30-day test is in relation to cattle; if he intends to proceed with this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Since its introduction in 1978, pre-movement testing of cattle for bovine TB and brucellosis has disclosed some 10,000 reactors which would otherwise have moved into clear herds. It has also enabled infection in the herds of origin to be detected and tackled much earlier than would have been possible under the annual rounds of testing. I do not envisage the abandonment of this useful weapon in the fight to eradicate disease.