131 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will have his blue cards returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9846/00]

An animal belonging to the herdowner named in the question, which had previously cleared a TB test on 10 December 1999, displayed TB like lesions when slaughtered on 22 December 1999.

The herd was consequently restricted pending the result of laboratory analysis. The laboratory report confirmed the presence of TB. A further TB test was carried out on 4 March 2000 and all animals were clear. In accordance with normal procedure, a second reactor retest is scheduled for 30 April and if this test is clear all the cattle identity cards will be returned to the herdowner.