Vol. 533 No. 1
23 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to help combat the threat of foot and mouth disease; the plans he has to assist the angling sector in view of the severe difficulties it is experiencing arising from the foot and mouth restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8384/01]
As soon as the foot and mouth disease outbreak in the UK became known, my Department put in place a comprehensive series of precautionary measures across a wide range of areas to help combat the threat of the disease. This was done in co-operation with other Departments and agencies and senior officials from my Department are playing an active role, on an ongoing basis, in the high level task force set up by the Government under the chairmanship of my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. A number of general measures were immediately taken. Disinfection mats were provided at the entrances to departmental offices and all non-essential meetings involving travel to and from Northern Ireland were cancelled.
On the forestry side, all site inspections by forestry inspectors have been suspended since 27 February. My Department is currently in discussion with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development on this issue in the context of the expert group's recommendations. This group was set up by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development to advise on limited relaxation of initial measures taken to combat the spread of the disease within Ireland. In the meantime, inspections of Coillte roads and reconstruction sites continue on the strict understanding that such visits do not involve entering on to or crossing any farm land. All forestry contractors and consultants have been advised in writing that, when entering and leaving farms, they and their machinery should be thoroughly disinfected.
Preventing entry of the disease from the UK is the primary concern. In relation to commercial seaports, all the port companies and harbour authorities have put in place appropriate disinfection, notification procedures and preventative measures in strict accordance with Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development advice. My officials are also in ongoing direct communication with the seaports and relevant shipping companies to assist the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development in monitoring the situation on the ground in our own ports and relevant seaports in the UK and France. In this context, my Department is in regular contact with UK Departments with a view to ensuring that all measures are taken to disinfect persons and vehicles leaving the UK for Ireland. Precautionary measures were also put into place at the five fishery harbour centres managed by my Department.
My Department, in consultation with the Departments of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and the Environment and Local Government, as well as the Customs and Excise, is developing a long-term plan to ensure an adequate arrangement is in place to deal with all the potential entry points at small piers, landing places, mooring buoys, etc., where yachts and other small leisure craft may enter when the tourist angling season starts.
In relation to mining activity, I have requested all holders of prospecting licences to refrain from fieldwork and have deferred contract works entailing field visits in agricultural lands.
Additional informationSteps have also been taken in the area of aquaculture. The industry has been told that movements of fish within the country must be kept to an absolute minimum and consignments must be accompanied by authorisation from my Department.
In the case of angling, I made a by-law prohibiting angling nationwide with effect from 3 March. While this measure was consistent with the overall precautionary approach adopted by the Government, I was nevertheless aware that this restriction placed a considerable burden on the angling sector, which is particularly vulnerable due to the niche nature of many enterprises. At the earliest opportunity, therefore, my Department sought the advice of the expert group in relation to foot and mouth disease controls. On 16 March my Department received the recommendations of the expert group, which allow for the lifting of the legal prohibition on angling with effect from 23 March. My Department is issuing guidelines which will be applicable to all involved in the angling sector from 23 March.
Angling activity may resume from 23 March subject to non-entry onto agricultural land to which animals susceptible to the disease may have had access since 1 February 2001. It is hoped this easing of the restrictions will allow for the resumption of ordinary angling activity in many cases, in particular lake and sea angling. Unfortunately, however, it remains the case that visiting anglers from the UK and other infected areas should be discouraged. I will continue to monitor the need for, and effect of, the current restrictions in consultation with my Government colleagues and with the advice of the expert group.
I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. Did he issue any instructions or advice to angling clubs directly in writing or otherwise? If so, what was the response? After several weeks elapse, will he advise angling clubs to adhere to whatever advice he or his Department issue? Will the Minister indicate how long he expects the situation to continue? What further measures, if any, will continue to apply to people using shipping and port companies? Does he intend to review the measures and, if so, when will that happen?
In the case of angling, I made a by-law prohibiting angling nationwide with effect from 3 March. Last week it was decided to lift this ban on angling from Friday next, assuming there is no outbreak in the meantime. A national advertising campaign advised angling clubs of the requirements and, following the lifting of the ban, a number of regulations and protocols will be introduced. These will forbid anglers entering land. They may go to angling venues only via public access points such as piers, bridges, etc. They will not be allowed to cross land.
I appreciate the way in which anglers and the angling community acted so responsibly over the past number of weeks. It has been particularly difficult for sporting anglers and even more difficult for the angling tourism fraternity who had to close their businesses. They acted responsibly and I am glad the ban can be lifted. However, I urge people to continue implementing the regulations, protocols and precautions that will be advertised in the coming week.
Regarding shipping, the same precautions are encouraged at all points of entry, particularly from Great Britain. People are asked to use disinfectant mats, etc. Any travellers who have been on farms are requested to report at the point of entry to the personnel from Customs and Excise and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
If the regulations continue to be applied they will impact severely on that element of fishing dealing with the tourism industry. Does the Minister intend to consider how assistance may be provided?
If we continue to successfully prevent the disease from spreading, the expert group under the chairmanship of my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, will continue to review the burden imposed on people. The lifting of the ban will assist most people in the tourism industry to get on with their business. It is crucially important that the precautions continue in place.
24 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has assessed the loss of earnings to fishermen due to the foot and mouth disease scare; if he has satisfied himself that adequate steps are taken at all fishing ports to prevent, as far as possible, the spread of foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8386/01]
Precautionary measures were put in place at all fishery harbour centres as soon as the foot and mouth disease problem in the UK became known. The centres are located at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Rossaveel, and Killybegs. Harbour masters at all of the five harbours were instructed to take immediate action.
Notices about the disease were erected at all of the harbours requiring any vessel arriving from outside of the State to inform the harbour master and carry out necessary procedures for prevention of the spread of the disease. The notice requires crew members to remain on board vessels until the necessary procedures are completed. Specific disinfectant mats are provided at the gangways of all vessels from visiting countries and for all Irish vessels which have visited foreign ports. In addition and critically, all food wastes originating outside of the country must be retained on board the vessel until suitable arrangements are made for proper disposal. The usual arrangements involving the provision of disinfectant mats for pedestrians and motor vehicles are also in place.
With regard to landings into other harbours, my Department has been in contact with coastal local authorities advising them to put in place stringent precautionary measures at harbours and landing places under their control. My officials are in regular contact with the fishing industry and I am not aware of any loss of earnings to Irish fishermen arising from the food and mouth disease threat. There is ongoing liaison between my Department, the harbour masters at the fishery harbour centres, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and cus toms officials to ensure that the procedures in place are appropriate and effective. The arrangements are kept under constant review and my officials will take all additional action considered necessary to ensure that the activities at the fishery harbour centres do not pose a risk of bringing the disease into Ireland.
Unfortunately, I understand there is concern about a possible foot and mouth disease outbreak in County Louth. I hope that does not happen. In view of the outstanding policing activities along the Border, where lorries have been prevented from crossing, have the ports authorities turned back any ships or vessels which they deemed inappropriate to let in to the country? Are gardaí and Army personnel on duty at the ports as they are on the Border?
I am not aware if boats have been returned. That information can be obtained for the Deputy. The gardaí and officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development are in close co-operation with the ports authorities and are active on the ground.
