Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 Nov 2001

Vol. 545 No. 3

Written Answers. - Animal Movements.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

21 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of prosecutions made under the anti-smuggling legislation he introduced during the foot and mouth outbreak; the number of times legislation has been reviewed since; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30166/01]

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

The special investigation unit of my Department and the Garda Síochana are continuing to investigate events surrounding the illegal importation of animals and other associated activities. Some of these events pre-dated the introduction of the Diseases of Animals (Amendment) Act, 2001, passed by this House in March last.

Charges have been preferred in one case, 11 files have been sent to the DPP with a recommendation for prosecution, and other case files are at various stages of investigation. I regret that I am not at liberty to provide any further detail at present lest it prejudice the ongoing investigations or any other associated proceedings which may arise.

Finally, it is my intention to conduct an overall review of the Diseases of Animals (Amendment) Act, 2001, before the end of March, 2002.

Question No. 22 answered with Question No. 11.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

23 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will give an update on the foot and mouth situation in the United Kingdom. [30041/01]

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

Information circulated by the UK authorities at the Standing Veterinary Committee on 21 November indicates that at 20 November 2001 there had been 2,030 outbreaks of foot and mouth disease confirmed in the United Kingdom since the epidemic began on 20 February. Of these cases, 2,026 were in Great Britain and four in Northern Ireland. The number of animals slaughtered on holdings where FMD has been confirmed, classed as dangerous contacts or which have been slaughtered on suspicion of FMD as at 20 November 2001 was 3,919,323.

The last outbreak of FMD in England was confirmed on 30 September – eight weeks ago. The last outbreak of FMD in Wales was confirmed on 12 August-15 weeks ago and the last outbreak of FMD in Scotland was confirmed on 30 May – six months ago.

Parts of the counties of Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Durham continue to be designated as "High Risk" while five other counties are designated as "At Risk".

I am encouraged by the continued absence of new outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in Great Britain since 30 September. However, I still regard it as essential to maintain a precautionary approach in relation to this virulent disease. The need for continued caution is underlined by the fact that, contrary to expectations, outbreaks have occurred in Britain in the past, in areas deemed clear of the disease for a considerable period.