Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 4

Written Answers. - Foot and Mouth Disease.

Noel Ahern

Question:

79 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will clarify the situation in relation to instructions and advice given to the Irish Kennel Club on foot and mouth issues; the reason all dog shows are cancelled until September 2001, including the important August circuit, while farmyard restrictions are already being relaxed; the further reason the Kennel Club is being so severely restricted; and if he will make a statement on the matter in view of the tourism spin-off from their activities, including the August circuit. [16488/01]

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

It was necessary in the context of the foot and mouth crisis to ask a number of organisations including the Irish Kennel Club to suspend or postpone events. This was the case in respect of the St. Patrick's Day Dog Show which was to take place in the IKC grounds in Cloughran, County Dublin.

Subsequent to this and to assist the staging of future shows later in the year, a protocol for dogs travelling from the UK for dog shows was developed by the IKC in conjunction with the expert group established by me. This protocol has been in place for some considerable time and will remain in force as long as there is an overhang of risk from foot and mouth disease in Great Britain where further cases are still arising and a degree of uncertainty exists in relation to the situation in Northern Ireland.

However, it is possible to stage dog shows subject to compliance with the relevant protocols in place.