Vol. 539 No. 1
26 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the current position in relation to foot and mouth disease in Britain; the number of cases to date; the number of recent new cases; the prospects for ending the spread of the disease there; and the impact on Irish agriculture of the current position. [18769/01]
From information circulated at the Standing Veterinary Committee on 21 June, I understand that the position as at 19 June 2001 was that 1,764 outbreaks of FMD had been confirmed in Great Britain. An additional four outbreaks were confirmed in Northern Ireland, last case confirmed on 22 April 2001, bringing the total outbreaks in the United Kingdom to 1,768. Details of the breakdown of the number of animals slaughtered in the United Kingdom have been forwarded to the Deputy as a tabular statement.
The number of confirmed FMD outbreaks in Great Britain as a whole reached a peak of 303 in the week commencing 20 March. Since then, the number of outbreaks confirmed each week has fallen, roughly halving every two weeks to a low of 22 for the week commencing 15 May. The total number of outbreaks recorded for each of the weeks commencing 22 May, 29 May, 5 June, and 12 June, were 36, 42, 29, and 30 respectively. I would be hopeful that the UK can eradicate the disease in the near future.
From our perspective, the continuing disclosure of FMD cases in Britain, some in areas not previously affected, serves as a reminder that FMD still represents a very serious threat to this country. For so long as additional cases are being confirmed in Great Britain, I will continue to regard the situation there as a significant threat, and will continue to take appropriate precautions. Effective biosecurity and disinfection measures on farms, marts and agricultural premises and some controls on animal movements continue to be essential.
Over the past few weeks there have been phased resumptions and normalisation of cattle movements culminating in the re-opening of the marts on Monday, 18 June. Animals can now be assembled for export and the build-up of stocks on farms can be gradually disposed of. In allowing marts to re-open, the trading needs of the farming community is being balanced alongside veterinary advice on the measures needed to protect against the spread of disease. The situation is being kept under ongoing review, and the advice of the expert group will continue to be sought in assessing the scope for further changes.
The Deputy will be aware that more than three months have elapsed since the one and only outbreak of FMD was confirmed here. In accordance with the International Animal Health Code of the OIE, Ireland has regained its status as an "FMD free country where vaccination is not practised". A submission was made to the OIE on 22 June last in relation to the follow-up actions taken here and that body will now undertake the necessary administrative process to formalise the Irish position.
