Trevor Sargent
Question:37 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans which the Government has to control and eradicate foot and mouth disease here. [9274/01]
Written Answers. - Foot and Mouth Disease.
Seamus Kirk
Question:52 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has satisfied himself that the measures taken to date to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease here and the measures in place to contain it in north County Louth are the most comprehensive possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9245/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 52 together.
Following confirmation of FMD on a farm at Proleek on the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth, a range of measures was immediately put in place to contain the disease, so as to prevent its spread elsewhere in the State, and to meet EU trading requirements.
In particular, the following specific actions were taken: a three kilometre control zone and a ten kilometre surveillance zone were established around the affected farm; Garda resources, which had been deployed in anticipation of confirmation of the case, were strengthened and additional departmental and other resources were assigned to the perimeters of both zones; the Louth borders with other counties were sealed off by the security forces to protect the regionalisation approach secured by Ireland in the Commission decision following the outbreak in County Louth; and intensive investigations were initiated by both the Garda and departmental officials into the source of the outbreak at Proleek; a cull of susceptible animals was undertaken on the following basis: all animals within the one kilometre zone around the index foot and mouth case at Proleek, all sheep flocks within the three kilometre zone, all sheep in a number of associated and contiguous farms linked to the zone, animals in a double contiguous ring to the balance of outfarms further down the peninsula, individual holdings where there was some link or risk of association with the index case and flocks associated with the use of the mountain commonages adjacent to the three kilometre zone. Associated goat and escaped deer in the latter area will also be removed.
Work has begun on the cull of sheep on farms between Meigh, County Armagh, and Proleek, County Louth, where the two outbreaks of foot and mouth disease have been confirmed. The joint operation, involving staff from both my Department and the Department of Agriculture in Northern Ireland, will create a sterile corridor between the two farms which lie on different sides of the Border. The joint initiative taken with the Northern authorities was for the purpose of eradicating any virus which may be present in the sheep populations in the areas where the two outbreaks occurred. A decision in relation to the wider Cooley Peninsula will be taken on the basis of the outcome of the epidemiological and other investigations now under way. Structured arrangements have been put in place to keep farmers fully informed of developments. In addition, I have arranged that departmental and Teagasc personnel will visit farmers directly involved in depopulations over the coming days.
Trace-back of sheep, which were suspected of having been brought into the State prior to 21 February when the import ban was imposed, has been vigorously pursued and flocks and herds were slaughtered out in Counties Meath, Laois, Carlow and Wexford over recent days. No clinical symptoms were evident but final results of tests on samples are awaited. There is no evidence of any susceptible animals having been imported into the State from the UK since the import ban. Intensive follow-up of other flocks and herds is continuing. This has been a feature of my Department's approach ever since the ban on imports of susceptible animals and certain animal products from the UK, including Northern Ireland, was first imposed on 21 February.
The expert committee reconvened and broadly endorsed its earlier recommendations for some relaxation of restrictions in respect of various events. Its latest report has modified its earlier position in respect of advice to travellers from the UK and other infected areas. The committee will continue its review of controls and advice on an ongoing basis. Various meetings have taken place between departmental personnel and other bodies to define protocols, offer advice etc. on a variety of activities. The inter-departmental task force continues to meet, usually on a daily basis, to evaluate the unfolding situation and co-ordinate actions across a spectrum of social and economic interest areas. The Department continues to operate telephone helplines and to ensure, through its website and the media, that information and advice to the public and particular sectors is continued at a high level.
I believe that the measures in place in County Louth and throughout Ireland generally are appropriate to the circumstances, both in terms of effectiveness and adherence to EU regulations which in many respects are exceeded. I have, from the very outset, made it clear however that as matters unfold any additional actions which might be deemed necessary to prevent the spread of FMD will be taken.
It is most important that we recognise that we are still a considerable way from the point at which we can in any sense feel relaxed about FMD. Vigilance and strict adherence with all controls and precautionary advice will be essential for some considerable time to come.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:38 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the contacts he has had or plans to have with other Governments within the European Union to seek stronger measures to combat the spread of foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8023/01]
As I said on a number of occasions, I am in regular and ongoing contact with my counterparts in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. I have also been in touch with the French Minister for Agriculture. In the context of last week's meeting of the Council of Agricultural Ministers, the issue of foot and mouth disease in the Union was raised and all member states' concerns were discussed.
My officials are also maintaining daily contact with the authorities in Brussels, London, Belfast, Paris and the Hague. The matter is also under weekly review at the Standing Veterinary Committee of the European Commission in Brussels. As the Deputy is aware, there are harmonised rules at EU level for the control of foot and mouth disease and further measures can be adopted as the situation develops. I can assure the Deputy that whatever measures are necessary will be taken.
Seymour Crawford
Question:39 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if, in view of the ban of farm visits by his farm building personnel, he will allow farmers in urgent need of dairy hygiene and farm pollution structures to go ahead with work subject to proper structures and planning regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9119/01]
The question of carrying out farm visits has been considered along with the other foot and mouth restrictions by an expert group under the Chairmanship of Professor Michael Monaghan, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in UCD. The advice of this group to date remains that visits to farms continue to be a high risk activity and that, for the present, only visits deemed to be absolutely necessary should take place. On the basis of this advice it is not proposed to carry out any farm visits either to inspect completed works or to process new applications for grant aid for on-farm investments. In this context, it is also considered inappropriate to approve works to proceed on farms which would involve the entry of contractors, builders etc. on to the farms. However, the position is being kept under continuous review.
Willie Penrose
Question:40 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his Department is concerned with regard to the possibility of the capacity of the foot and mouth virus to spread by means of airborne transmission; if there has been any confirmation or otherwise that the disease has been spread in England or Wales by this mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9277/01]
FMD is one of the most contagious animal diseases. Infected animals excrete virus in the fluid from ruptured blisters, exhaled air, saliva, milk, semen, faeces and urine. Virus transmission can occur from ten days before the appearance of blisters. The primary method of virus transmission is by direct contact or via respiratory particles and droplets. Pigs are potent excretors of virus which has the potential to become airborne. Spread of infection between premises and areas is frequently due to movement between premises and areas of infected animals or contaminated vehicles, equipment, people and animal products, including milk.
While windborne spread of infected aerosols can occur under favourable conditions, it is unlikely that it was the source of the spread of foot and mouth from Great Britain to the island of Ireland. I am not aware of any confirmation that the disease has been spread in England and Wales by means of this mechanism.
Question No. 41 answered with Question No. 31.