Vol. 429 No. 4
3 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has satisfied himself with the measures being taken to contain the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Italy and with the measures taken to control the movement of animals from Italy to other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
68 Ms. O'Donnell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the concern being expressed by farmers at the threat to animal health posed by imported breeding cattle from EC mainland countries following the relaxation of EC veterinary controls; and the action, if any, he is taking in the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 68 together.
I am aware of concerns being expressed regarding cattle imports. A recently adopted EC decision prohibits the export of animals and their products from 16 provinces in Italy. I am confident that the Italian veterinary authorities, and indeed such authorities in all member states, will fulfil their legal obligations under EC legislation governing intra-Community trade.
Traded animals must meet the veterinary health standards of EC legislation and must be accompanied by official documentation in support of their status. The exporting member state is obliged to ensure that animals leaving its territory meet the required standards and do not pose a risk to other countries. No member state is entitled to prohibit the importation of properly certified animals.
I am satisfied that the Italian authorities are dealing satisfactorily with the foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in their country. They are applying specified Community requirements to control foot-and-mouth disease. EC Commission missions have been sent to Italy to ensure compliance with these measures.
May I ask the Minister if he is satisfied with the reliability of the information being supplied in relation to the movement of animals both in and out of Italy? I know that we in this House should not be disparaging of other adminsitrations, but there is serious room for doubt as to the reliability of that information. In this connection would the Minister not agree that it is worrying to see that a number of the export controls which had been applied in Italy are now being removed? For example, the export of Parmesan cheese and a number of other products is being permitted again. Would the Minister not agree that where the reliability of the basic data on animal movements is suspect, other measures which follow from that later down the chain must also be a cause of great concern?
Three missions have visited Italy to assess the situation. The report of the first mission indicates some shortcomings in the manner in which the epidemic was handled initially by the Italian authorities. These criticisms included delays in confirmation of the disease, slaughtering infected animals and setting up protection zones, a lack of movement restrictions and an apparent absence of overall co-ordinating activities. The Italian authorities said it was hampered by a mountainous terrain, bad weather and a high water table. The last two reports indicate that the EC requirements are being properly applied. Another mission, on which the Department will be represented, will visit Italy in the near future.
By and large, the Department is happy that the Italian authorities are honouring their commitments in regard to this terrible problem. Obviously, our people are and will be keeping a very close eye on the problem. The export of live animals susceptible to FMD, fresh meat, meat products, milk, milk products, hides, semen and embryos from the 16 provinces in Italy where prohibition is in place is being monitored. This prohibition does not apply to the entire country; it applies to the provinces where the disease has broken out.
I remember very well the last occasion on which there was an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the UK — it was in 1968. The Minister may not remember this outbreak, but I remember it because I was selling insurance for livestock at that stage. May I ask the Minister — this may be a purely hypothetical question, but it is at the root of our concerns — would he be as happy as he appears to be today if, faced with the measures now in force in Italy and the degree of reliability of that enforcement, there was an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the UK, or would he be as worried as I am?
It is not for me to make comparisons between member states.
It is the Minister's responsibility to protect our livestock.
It is, but the officials in the Department are satisfied that the Italian authorities are implementing the regulations in this area to the fullest extent possible. They are monitoring the implementation of these regulations. That is the position as of now. The Department and all Members on this side of the House realise the terrible problems an outbreak of foot and mouth disease would cause in this country. In that context we are happy that the Italian authorities are doing what they should do.
Ar aghaidh linn go dtí Ceist 4.
May I ask the Minister a final question?
A brief question, Deputy.
Given that he has direct responsibility for this matter, would the Minister agree that it is patent nonsense to ask people coming into this country who have been on a farm or in contact with livestock elsewhere to present themselves at a Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry office at an airport to have their shoes sprayed without ever asking if they have in their suitcases shoes or clothing they wore on visits to these farms? Would the Minister consider updating those controls so that they are made more relevant?
We are having an extension of the subject matter.
I have no doubt that the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry officials are implementing at all points of entry the necessary procedures in relation to people who have visited farms in Italy.
Would the Minister wear the shoes he wore on a farm getting on a plane?
