Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 5

Written Answers. - Foot and Mouth Disease.

Michael Ring

Question:

51 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has requested all Ministers to cancel public engagements, functions, openings and other events nationwide due to the threat of foot and mouth disease and the possible crowds that would attend these events. [7410/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

Arising from discussions at Government level some weeks ago, in the context of precautionary measures deemed necessary against foot and mouth disease, FMD, Ministers, Departments and agencies were advised to cancel non-essential events involving the bringing of people together from farming communities or from infected areas and-or to urge people from rural communities not to attend. If such events were to proceed, disinfectant procedures are to be used. Ministers were also asked to have regard to this advice in relation to their own engagements.

In addition to the foregoing, the House will be aware that I have kept the measures against FMD under continual review. In this task I have been assisted by the Expert Group on Foot and Mouth Disease Controls which I established on 9 March. The group considers the range of FMD controls in place, advises on their adaptation and supplementation in the light of developments.

The group has categorised events etc. from a risk assessment viewpoint on the basis of its agreed risk methodology. Essentially, activities are classified into three categories ranging from low-medium risk to high risk. Details have been well publicised. In this context, I have this week accepted suggested revisions to the recommendations in relation to travel to and from the UK and other infected areas.

Finally, I assure the House that the expert group will continue to review and revise where appropriate its recommendations. In that task, it will continue to take as its priority the containment of the disease.

Question No. 52 answered with Question No. 37.