Vol. 539 No. 1
72 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the lessons which have to be learned from the foot and mouth disease outbreak; the review which is taking place on European Union control measures; the discussions which are taking place with a view to establishing an all-island policy for animal health and the prevention measures at the major ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18491/01]
One of the lasting legacies of the recent crisis is the Diseases of Animals (Amendment) Act, 2001, which gives authorised officers of my Department significant new powers, and which provides for dramatic new penalties for offences under the Diseases of Ani mals Acts, including the seizure of assets, fines of up to £100,000 and/or jail terms of up to five years.
In addition, a 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, all sheep must be tagged on farm. In addition, measures have been introduced to regulate the activities of dealers. I am certain that these developments will have a significant impact on some of the practices which gave rise to a particular risk of spreading foot and mouth disease in this jurisdiction.
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 it 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 import regime 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 at the Agriculture Council, and I will continue to press for this as a matter of priority. The community will also be reviewing other aspects, including the transfer of animals and animal disease control measures, over the ensuing months.
The establishment of a single veterinary regime for the island of Ireland has been suggested. A considerable amount of work has already taken place, under the aegis of the North-South Ministerial Council, to identify possibilities for collaboration and co-operation in a range of animal health areas, and this will continue.
However, this question is extremely complex. Any decision to establish a single veterinary regime would require both parts of the island to have equivalent animal health status. There is already a very considerable amount of equivalence. However, the situation is complicated by the fact that the high incidence of BSE in the UK herd has meant that the exportation of livestock from Northern Ireland has been banned since 1996. There is also an over 30 months regime operating in the UK where such bovine animals are excluded from the food chain. There are some obstacles, therefore, which would need to be overcome.
I would emphasise that there has been an excellent degree of co-operation between ourselves and Northern Ireland on animal health issues. I will continue to focus on developing this relationship both at ministerial and official level.
73 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when he expects that the 30 day holding rule which has been retained for mart sales and farm to farm movements will be lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18805/01]
153 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will end the 30 day retention period. [18688/01]
163 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the 30 day removal permit introduced due to the foot and mouth crisis will be removed; and when normal cattle trading will be resumed. [18902/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 153 and 163 together.
The primary purpose of the 30 day retention period is to control the spread of disease. In the context of the recent foot and mouth emergency, I consider that this measure, together with the range of movement restrictions introduced, was a critical success factor in the containment of the disease to a single outbreak in this jurisdiction. I am aware that the measure has had implications for trading in cattle. I have already relaxed a variety of the movement restrictions that were in place in relation to cattle movements from farm to farm, through marts and to slaughter plants. I have made specific arrangements for an exemption from the 30 day requirement in respect of live exports. I will keep the matter under close review in consultation with the expert review group which I established to advise me on such matters.
