Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 1

Written Answers. - Animal Disease Controls.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

186 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has satisfied himself that measures to reduce the possibility of further outbreaks of animal disease here are sufficient to meet all eventualities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19010/01]

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

Animal disease outbreaks are by their nature unpredictable and it is impossible to say with 100% certainty that all serious animal diseases can be kept at all times out of any country. In some cases such diseases are the result of illegal activities.

One of the lasting legacies of the foot and mouth crisis is the Diseases of Animals (Amendment) Act, 2001, which gives officers of my Department significant new powers, and which provides for dramatic new penalties for offences under the Diseases of Animals Acts, including the seizure of assets, fines of up to £100,000 and/or jail terms of up to five years. Measures have also been introduced to regulate the activities of dealers. I am certain that these developments will have a very significant impact on some of the practices which gave rise to a particular risk of spreading foot and mouth disease in this jurisdiction.

Prudent planning and strict import controls are essential elements in keeping serious animal diseases at bay. Illegal movement of sheep has proved to be at the bottom of the introduction of foot and mouth disease on to this island. A new national sheep tagging and traceability system has been introduced and from Thursday, 21 June, all sheep must be individually tagged prior to leaving the holding of origin, and from 15 December 2001, all sheep must be tagged on farm.

I can assure the Deputy that I will carefully examine the range of control measures remaining in place, including those at ports and airports, and that I will consider retaining those controls to the extent that my veterinary advisers think this is necessary or advisable, having due regard in the first instance to the need to prevent the spread of animal and human diseases, and also to the need for normal farming business to resume to the greatest extent possible.

At European level I consider it appropriate, in light of the FMD crisis, to review the controls applicable to animal based products imported into the European Union from third countries. I have called for such a review on a number of occasions and more recently at the June Agriculture Council, and I will continue to press for this as a matter of priority. In addition, the issues of animal transport and disease control measures generally will be considered at European level over the coming months.