Vol. 537 No. 5
250 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the changes which have been made regarding sheep shearing in 2001; and the restrictions which have been placed in relation to this detailing the old guidelines and the new guidelines for it. [17153/01]
Having regard to the foot and mouth disease and the danger of it spreading because of the close physical contact between the sheep shearer and the sheep, a temporary ban on shearing was introduced from 1 May to 28 May.
Following a joint submission from organisations representing farmers, sheep shearers and the Irish Wool Federation a regulated regime was introduced with effect from 28 May. This included, inter alia, the registration of commercial sheep shearers. The regime is detailed in S.I. No. 228 of 2001, a copy of which I have arranged to be sent to the Deputy. There is no restriction on farmers shearing their own sheep. These new measures will be kept under review in the light of ongoing developments in relation to the foot and mouth disease control.
