Michael Creed
Question:83 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when he proposes to reopen the livestock marts; and the expert advice available to him on this matter. [15378/01]
Written Answers. - Foot and Mouth Disease.
I have announced a further easing of foot and mouth disease, FMD, controls relating to the movement under permit of cattle, consequent on receiving the latest recommendations of the expert advisory group which met earlier in the day.
Among the adjustments to existing restrictions which I announced were the following measures relevant to marts: as and from 1 June 2001, marts may act as centres for the assembly of consignments of cattle from farms for onward movement to one other farm. This will be of particular benefit to smaller producers and will also ease the situation of buyers; as and from 1 June 2001, marts and other approved premises may act as centres for the assembly of consignments of cattle from farms for onward movement for export purposes; in addition, arrangements are being finalised for the direct transport of cattle to export points; the operational details of the above arrangements will be settled in discussion between the Depart ment and the mart groups; CMMS provisions, where relevant, will apply; the use of mart weighbridges for weighing consignments of cattle will be allowed, with immediate effect, provided that animals are not unloaded from vehicles; an indicative date of 18 June 2001 has been set for the resumption of normal mart operations for cattle.
Marts, of course, already play a role in the assembly of cattle for movement to slaughter plants. Existing restrictions in relation to the movement of sheep will remain in force until further notice and the mart operations described above do not apply to sheep.
In announcing these adjustments I have made it clear that vigilance, adherence to protocols and application of bio-security measures, particularly on farms and related premises, continues to be necessary. Cases of FMD continue to occur in Britain, there remains some uncertainty in relation to the cases in Northern Ireland and the large-scale serological testing programme of sheep flocks in this country has yet to be completed. Notwithstanding the fact that a further easing of our controls is now possible, we cannot allow ourselves to think that FMD is no longer a threat.