Vol. 533 No. 5
80 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has issued guidelines regarding the handling of the disinfectant used for the prevention of transmission of foot and mouth disease in view of the fact that the director of the National Poison Centre at Beaumont Hospital (details supplied) has stated that this disinfectant can be toxic in its concentrated form. [9361/01]
I am acutely aware of the potential dangers, particularly to children, of misusing disinfectants of all kinds, including those effective against foot and mouth disease. In this regard my Department has advised the general public to ensure that they read and strictly adhere to the manufacturer's directions on usage and dilution rates when applying disinfectant and to contact the manufacturers and-or suppliers in cases of uncertainty.
81 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the total number of vehicles stopped and alleged to have been in breach of foot and mouth disease restrictions since the imposition of restrictions on movement of animals; the action taken in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9401/01]
82 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has satisfied himself that the precautions regarding the movement of animals are adequate to prevent the further spread of foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9402/01]
88 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the action which has been taken against any persons who have breached restrictions imposed arising from foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9408/01]
89 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of reports of alleged improper movement of cattle or sheep brought to the attention of his Department since the imposition of foot and mouth disease restrictions; the number of such cases followed up; the number of prosecutions taken in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9409/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 82, 88 and 89 together.
83 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the variety of pet foods imported; if all such importations have ceased; if any remaining importations pose a threat regarding the spread of foot and mouth or other animal diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9403/01]
87 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has satisfied himself that no meat or meat extracts are being imported by major food stores; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9407/01]
93 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has satisfied himself that no pet foods are being imported which might present a threat to the prevention of foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9413/01]
95 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has satisfied himself that all meat imports have ceased with particular reference to countries having a problem with foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9415/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 87, 93 and 95 together.
Arising from the foot and mouth crisis there are additional import controls and conditions pertaining to the importation of products of animal origin from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France. Such products are prohibited except under health certification issued by the competent authority in the exporting country and which is in compliance with the relevant Commission decision addressed to that country. The policing of this regime is, in the first instance, a matter for the exporting country. However, I am satisfied that the comprehensive controls in place at ports and airports in Ireland are sufficient to prevent the importation of products not conforming to the Commission decision on foot and mouth disease in the unlikely event that they succeed in passing domestic export controls in the exporting country.
84 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has, with his European Union colleagues, put in place any measures to protect against foot and mouth or other animal diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9404/01]
There has from the outset been an EU dimension to the handling of the foot and mouth disease, FMD, crisis, which now involves cases in the UK, France, the Netherlands and Ireland. Using established procedures, the Standing Veterinary Committee has played a central role in relation to the precautionary measures put in place by various member states, and will continue to so do. In addition, the matter has been the subject of discussion at Council of Agriculture Ministers level and I anticipate it will remain on the agenda of Council for some time to come. Not alone do we need involvement of all member states at EU level to handle the current crisis, we also need to review the lessons to be learned from it and to take appropriate action into the future. I have been in direct contact with ministerial counterparts in other member states in relation to particular aspects of the FMD situation which as matters have evolved have been of particular mutual concern.
It has been necessary to police the movement restrictions and this has been done by the Garda Síochána, acting in support of my Department. All vehicles traversing the Border are stopped by the Garda. Of these, 1,217 vehicles have been turned back. In the course of the operation 874 seizures have been made. While not all of the seizures relate to foot and mouth, where irregularities have been detected in this regard, details have been taken with a view to prosecution in such cases. The Garda has also carried out extensive checks throughout the State on vehicles carrying livestock to ensure that the relevant permits are to hand. Where drivers have been found without permits the vehicle and its consignment has been directed to return to the point of departure. In some cases this has been done under Garda escort. Details of these cases are being compiled by the Garda. The penalties for offences under the Diseases of Animals Act range up to £100,000 and-or five years imprisonment.
I ask anyone with knowledge of breaches of the restrictions on animal movements to make such information available to their local district veterinary office or to the Garda so that the matter can be investigated.
