Vol. 542 No. 5
106 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the total estimated losses incurred by the agricultural sector arising from the foot and mouth disease outbreaks in the United Kingdom; the measures taken to prevent the spread of the condition here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25107/01]
I am not yet in a position to provide an estimate of the impact on Irish agriculture arising specifically from the foot and mouth disease experience of 2001. In assessing this, it will be necessary to take account of costs or losses as well as the gains or advantages which accrued as a by-product of the experience of the past months. Some of these elements are still being played out. In due course, I propose to undertake a review of the different aspects of the episode and this will include an assessment of the implications for the agriculture and related sectors.
Measures have been introduced in this jurisdiction since 21 February last to prevent the spread of the disease from Britain where to date there have been 2030 cases of the disease and more than 3.9 million animals have been slaughtered. There may be increasing grounds for a degree of optimism in the fact that the most recent confirmed case of FMD in Britain was on 30 September last. Given that we know that FMD can re-emerge in areas which have apparently been cleared of the disease, it is too early to conclude that we have seen the last case of FMD in Britain. We must therefore maintain both our sense of vigilance and the controls and precautionary measures which have played a critical role in our success to date in combating the FMD threat.
While the range of measures introduced since 21 February has been adjusted on an ongoing basis, a number continue to apply in the interests of safeguarding animal health. The main additional measures still applicable are the following: bans remain on imports of susceptible animals and certain products from Great Britain; imports from Northern Ireland of pigs and sheep are subject to full compliance with EU trading rules; controls continue to apply at ports and airports with mobile patrols at border; with some exemptions, animals purchased must be retained by buyers for 30 days; farm to farm movements of cattle must be notified in advance to SWS; various events involving animals are permitted under specific protocols agreed between the Department and organisers; and sheep shearing and AI are regulated.
Apart from these measures, I have continued to emphasise the need for retention of effective bio-security and disinfection measures at farms, marts and agricultural premises. I would take this opportunity to again urge all farmers and those in charge of agricultural related premises and events to maintain all the required precautions.
