FIVE animals imported from France, as part of post-FMD restocking measures, have given a reaction in blood tests for brucellosis during recent post-import checks.

One of the animals, in a consignment of 44 cattle imported from France on

February 4, gave a positive result when subjected to routine post-import testing at the premises of arrival in Cumbria. Another four animals gave inconclusive test results, DEFRA announced on Tuesday.

The animal that reacted positively to the test has been slaughtered with none of the meat entering the human food chain. Further tests are being carried out on samples taken from the animal.

The other four cattle that showed inconclusive results to the initial tests are being subjected to further blood tests along with the rest of the herd. The whole consignment has been put under movement restrictions.

DEFRA is continuing to investigate whether the imported consignment complied with the EU rules that were in place at the time of import. It is also checking that the animals did not come into contact with other cattle since their arrival.

Brucellosis is transmissible to humans. The main risk is through direct contact with the animals, especially at and around the time of calving when the organism is excreted in large numbers. It may also be transmitted via unpasteurised milk but this suspect animal

does not pose a risk because as an in-calf heifer it has never been milked.

Updated: 08:48 Thursday, March 21, 2002