The Department of Agriculture is making arrangements to facilitate the rollout of rapid antigen detection tests (RADT) for COVID-19 to food business operators, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has confirmed.

The move comes following the completion of a Health Services Executive (HSE) validation study on RADT in tandem with polymerase chain reaction testing (PCR) which included 4,900 participants across 18 sites since the beginning of January 2021.

Minister McConalogue said that while a detailed analysis of this data is being completed by HSE, the study would appear to support the use of RADT for this purpose.

Initial rollout

The announcement on RADT came in response to a parliamentary question put forward by Mayo TD Dara Calleary.

The HSE currently organises COVID-19 testing of the workforce in the larger food and meat processing plants on a four-weekly schedule.

The initial rollout of RADT will include making guidelines available on its use.

The Department said it has agreed with public health authorities and the food industry a process for the supply of RADT test kits and a means of providing some initial onsite training for those who wish to use it.