Vol. 533 No. 5
78 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the likely impact on farmers in view of the recent measures which were necessary to address foot and mouth disease concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7896/01]
I have from the very outset acknowledged that the prevention and control measures put in place in relation to foot and mouth disease, FMD, impose constraints on farmers throughout the country, and particularly within the zones associated with the FMD outbreak at Meigh, County Armagh and latterly with the outbreak at Proleek on the Cooley Peninsula. The constraints imposed on farmers, and indeed many other sections of the community, are unavoidable if this country is to have a realistic prospect of avoiding a situation even more grave than that which we have faced to date. The farming community has perhaps most to lose should FMD spread within the State and I am confident that farmers and their representatives clearly understand the need for the measures now in place. In so far as any adjustments to such measures are concerned, I will take account of the views of the expert committee which I recently established to keep under ongoing review our array of controls and advice to various sectors. It may be some time, however, before normal farming activity in this country can resume without risk.
