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Seanad Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Mar 2001

Vol. 165 No. 16

Foot and Mouth Disease: Statements.

I am pleased to have this opportunity to update the House on foot and mouth disease. Senators already acknowledge the readiness of the Taoiseach, my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Walsh, and others on all sides of the House to keep them fully informed as matters evolve. The Government for its part has expressed appreciation of the goodwill shown by Senators on all sides of the House in the handling of this most difficult and serious national issue.

Senators will be aware that following confirmation of FMD on a farm at Proleek on the Cooley Peninsula, County Louth, a range of measures were immediately put in place to contain the disease so as to prevent its spread elsewhere in the State and meet EU trading requirements. The following specific actions were taken. A three kilometre control zone and a ten kilometre surveillance zone were established around the affected farm; Garda resources, which had been deployed in anticipation of confirmation of the case, were strengthened, and additional departmental and other resources were assigned to the perimeters of both zones; the County Louth borders with other counties were sealed off by the security forces to protect the regionalisation approach secured by Ireland in the Commission decision following the outbreak in County Louth; intensive investigations were initiated by both the Garda and departmental officials into the source of the outbreak at Pro leek, and a cull of susceptible animals was undertaken on the following basis—

Does the Minister of State have copies of his script? It is normal that his script would be distributed.

It is on the way. There was a rush this morning to get things done. I apologise for the delay.

The cull includes all animals within the one kilometre zone around the index foot and mouth case at Proleek; all sheep flocks within the three kilometre zone; all sheep in a number of associated and contiguous farms linked to the zone; animals in a double contiguous ring to the balance of the Rice holdings further down the peninsula; individual holdings where there was some link or risk of association with the index case; flocks associated with the use of the mountain commonages adjacent to the three kilometre zone, while associated goat and escaped deer in the latter area will also be removed.

A joint strategy was announced yesterday by the Minister, Deputy Walsh, and his counterpart in the North, Mrs. Rodgers, for the immediate precautionary slaughter of sheep within and between the three kilometre radius zones of the sites at Meigh, County Armagh and Proleek, County Louth. The veterinary authorities of both Departments will continue to liaise on further measures to be taken in respect of the Border areas. A decision on the wider Cooley Peninsula will be taken on the basis of the outcome of the epidemiological and other investigations under way. Trace-back of sheep suspected of having been brought into the State from Northern Ireland and, probably, Britain prior to 21 February when the import ban was imposed has been vigorously pursued and flocks-herds were slaughtered in counties Meath, Laois, Carlow and Wexford in recent days. No clinical symptoms were evident, but final results of tests on samples are awaited. Initial test results were negative.

Intensive follow-up of other flocks-herds is continuing. This has been a feature of the Department's approach since the ban on imports of susceptible animals and certain animal products from the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, was first imposed on 21 February. The expert committee reconvened and broadly endorsed its earlier recommendations for a relaxation of restrictions in respect of various events. Its latest report will modify its earlier position in respect of advice to travellers from the United Kingdom and other infected areas. Various meetings have taken place between departmental personnel and other bodies to define protocols, offer advice, etc., on a variety of activities. One outcome of such discussions was a proposal to recommend a postponement of the 2001 census of population.

A meeting took place on 26 March between representatives of the Departments of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, the Envir onment and Local Government and the EPA in respect of the disposal of carcases of FMD flocks-herds and other preventive culls. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development met a range of representative bodies and also visited the Ballymascanlon centre on 26 March where he met relevant interests, including farmers. He agreed to establish appropriate structures to keep farmers more fully informed on relevant issues. I acknowledge the trauma for the people concerned of what we must do on the Cooley Peninsula, in terms of culling, etc, and reiterate that we will make every effort to deal with all aspects of the operation as sensitively as possible.

Efforts have continued to retain or regain access to various markets. The Commission decision on regionalisation will be helpful in this regard. No further indications of foot and mouth disease have been found here since 22 March, or since the beginning of March in Northern Ireland. The situation in Britain remains a serious overhanging threat, while it is uncertain what may yet emerge on the Continent.

The foot and mouth disease position has been today considered by EU veterinary experts at the Standing Veterinary Committee. I am pleased to tell the House that the SVC endorsed the Commission decision on regionalisation as it affects this country. I can also report that the SVC also accepted regionalisation for Northern Ireland, with application to the Newry and Mourne districts and with effect from 3 April next.

I should also mention the deliberations of the expert group which, on an ongoing basis, has been advising on our controls and advice arrangements. The initial conclusions of the group were accepted by my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, on 16 March. This resulted in some slight relaxation in low risk categories. Advice on restrictions on events involving animals and on travel to and from Britain remains unchanged. Advice to farmers also remains as heretofore.

The group has clarified recommendations, which have been accepted by the Minister today in respect of visitors from the UK, to provide that urban-to-urban visits are acceptable. The group has advised individual agencies on specific activities and operations and on protocols to be followed. Restrictions on the movement of farm animals remain, and are likely to do so for some considerable time. Senators will be aware of the commitment given by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development to introduce, by May of this year, a sheep identification and traceability system. Discussions have been held with the various concerned interests and arrangements are proceeding apace to put such a system in place.

Finally, I stress that we are still some considerable way from the point at which this country can feel in any sense relaxed about foot and mouth disease. Vigilance and rigid adherence to all the precautions and advice is necessary if we are to avoid an even more serious situation than that which we have to date encountered. I feel sure that such a message will be echoed by this House. I thank Senators and all political parties for their co-operation in this national emergency. Such a consensus, which is not always to be found in politics, is very much in the national interest.

I also thank the wider public very sincerely for their understanding and, in particular, I recognise those outside farming who also suffer as a result of the restrictions which are in operation. I hope, with the continued co-operation of the vast majority of people in abiding by those restrictions, the current difficulties will be short term rather than long term.

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This is, indeed, a time for a combined national effort. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, the Garda Síochána, local authorities, Teagasc and everybody concerned are doing their very best to ensure that foot and mouth disease does not spread beyond the borders of County Louth.

Having visited the Ballymascanlon centre at the weekend, I was impressed by the full and thorough briefing given by the Department personnel on all their activities and the support services which they are putting in place. I wish to put on record my personal appreciation and that of my party for the outstanding work and dedication of the Department officials, Teagasc personnel and the gardaí who are involved in this operation. We are fortunate that the State is served by people of such high calibre – I refer not only to the past week but over the three or four weeks since the first outbreak in County Armagh. It is unfortunate that there has been a breakdown in communications between farmers and the Department in situ. This has caused much concern and upset to the farmers concerned. I appreciate and fully accept the commitment of the Department and the undertaking given today in a radio interview by the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs to ensure that necessary improvements in communications are put in place, with particular reference to informing farmers that their herds are next on the list for culling. It does not come as a shock to them, therefore, when the culling moves from point A to point B without the intervening farms being touched. That has created concern.

Mr. John Elmore, the sheep breeders representative on the national IFA committee, spoke on this issue with great conviction. He said that the people of Cooley, County Louth, are prepared to do whatever must be done and make whatever sacrifices are required. They are already doing this daily. Despite the great upset and concern for the farmers and people who live and work in north County Louth, they are prepared to make those sacrifices for the sake of the country. Its acknowledgement must be seen in the commitment of the Government to do whatever can be done to ensure they are fully compensated in every regard. In particular, the representatives of the tourism industry must be fully supported in the sacrifices they are making. Ordinary people going about their daily work and lives throughout County Louth are also making the necessary sacrifices to tackle this situation.

It is extremely reprehensible that, according to reports in the UK media today, the illegal importation of contaminated meat by an ethnic restaurant in the United Kingdom started this problem. The disease spread to this country as a result of the illegal importation of sheep; it was not caused by mainstream agricultural practice. Those who operate illegally in this manner place the entire industry and billions of pounds at risk. The people responsible, when identified, must face the full rigours of the law. It is upsetting that this has happened.

A number of issues must be addressed. The Garda Síochána is doing an effective and efficient job. Gardaí operate checkpoints on all routes into and out of the country. They work in a courteous and efficient manner and as expeditiously as possible. However, there are problems with traffic build up at certain times, particularly when people are travelling to and from work. At 6 p.m. last evening one could not drive a car through Drogheda because all streets were blocked with traffic. I compliment the Garda on its interest and concern in this regard, but more manpower must be put in place at major intersections and on national primary routes. The Garda could intervene at these intersections to ensure the smooth flow of traffic in all directions and prevent build ups.

Another issue is the overheads of businesses facing the wall, particularly local authority rates. Businesses throughout County Louth, but especially in the Cooley area are affected by this problem. There should be relief of rates for people in that area for the duration of this necessary disruption of business. Many in the business community have borrowed money to develop their businesses. In the tourism sector, people have taken on large loans, hundreds of thousands of pounds in many cases, and must meet the repayments as if their businesses were operating normally. These businesses are not operating at all; they have come to a full stop.

The Taoiseach, Ministers and everybody concerned should meet the banks and lending agencies which have funded the improvements in these businesses. At the very least, there should be a complete moratorium on payments, particularly interest payments, during this national crisis. There will be significant losses for the businesses concerned which must be made up by the banks and the Government. This is an issue on which we all must work together.

The farmers and workers in County Louth are making the sacrifices required. They will continue to do so because the most important issue is that the boundaries of County Louth will be the extent of the disease. Whatever culls and other difficult decisions are required will be supported by the community in the county.

We did not anticipate this debate and our party spokesman, Senator Tom Hayes, is detained at another meeting and has asked me to stand in for him. We support all the measures and are confident that whatever needs to be done will be done. At the end of the day, the Government must look after the people of Louth and make up the shortfall in their income, particularly in farming and business.

It is regrettable that we welcome Minister of State, Deputy Davern, here again to update us on the outbreak in County Louth. As a farmer, my heart goes out to those in County Louth who had cattle, sheep and other stock slaughtered. They are paying a huge price. Let us acknowledge that they are real patriots. Without equivocation they have put no obstacle, no restriction in the way but have co-operated totally with the State in trying to overcome the foot and mouth outbreak that has occurred in their region of our country. I speak for all in saying that we recognise the sacrifice they make.

We must also fully recognise the efforts being made by everyone on the State's behalf, including the Government. We see the efforts of the Taoiseach, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Deputy Joe Walsh, and the Minister of State, Deputy Davern. I compliment Deputy Davern on his fine performances, speaking straight from the shoulder and giving help, advice and encouragement. He speaks factually with no varnish. The public admire his presentation and he is to be commended for it.

We are in a serious situation. We were fortunate that the Government, especially the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, and the Minister of State, achieved regionalisation which ensured that we held on to our markets. Let us hope and pray that it remains one outbreak and that we can continue.

We should make a straight, solid appeal. First, we appeal to the farming public not to engage in any activity which could be harmful or detrimental to their own vital interest – to keep foot and mouth out of the remainder of the country. Second, we thank the non-farming public for putting their shoulders to the wheel and showing their commitment to preserving the status we have had since 1941. We compliment them for that. All we can do is appeal in the strongest fashion that they continue that approach.

Regrettably there are reports of movements of cattle without permit. I have heard of this, as have others. That must be condemned in the strongest fashion. I ask that the full rigours of the Bill which was recently signed into law be applied against any individual, groups or factories who carry out reprehensible deeds.

The outbreak of foot and mouth disease was not caused by a farm management problem. It was not the fault of any individual farmer, except the small few who engaged in illegal smuggling. There is no point in smuggling goods if one does not have someone to receive them. I support the Minister, and this House should encourage him. We must demand action from the Government, namely, the application of law to control and prevent the spread of disease. Those responsible should pay the legal penalty for what they have done. Farmers did not, by and large, bring this on themselves because it was an imported product that led to the arrival of foot and mouth disease.

I ask, as I have done on previous occasions, whether EU regulations are good enough to meet the challenges of our times. Most people know that this problem results from the illegal importation of bad product, including product that is diseased, from areas outside the EU. I have spoken in this House about imports from South America, Asia and Africa. The meat that brought foot and mouth disease here came from such places, through Europe and England. When this crisis has passed, I will argue that the EU should firm up its regulations. If regulations are not strong enough, new regulations will have to be imposed.

The quality of food available to the consumer has to be of a clearly high quality. I doubt if such product exists on the shelves of Ireland and Europe. Poor quality food products, particularly meat, that are not of the required high standard, are in shops instead. The EU is responsible for producing about 20% of the world's food. We must match the high standard demanded of us, we cannot allow ourselves to be reduced to the lowest common denominator. We must keep our standards up and give European customers the product they require and deserve. That can only be done by having legislation in place and enforcing it.

Everyone was taken by surprise when the Taoiseach made the announcement regarding foot and mouth disease in the Dáil last Thursday. It forced us to work together across party lines, which is to be welcomed in a time of national crisis. Let us hope that we ride this problem out and that there will be no more outbreaks. I pray to God there will not, and I am sure everyone does likewise.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Davern, to the House once again, but I am sorry he is here to discuss this problem again. A great deal has happened since last Thursday and I congratulate the Minister of State for that.

There are six needs which should be addressed. The first of these is the need for more information. We should remind the public, abroad as well as in Ireland, that this is not a food safety problem and one will not become sick. It is not an animal safety problem as it is unlikely that animals will die from foot and mouth disease. It is an economic problem, particularly for Ireland which depends so much on agriculture, especially the export of food. There is a huge demand for food safety. The public should be given more information on a continuous basis.

The second need is for vigilance. We need to be ever-vigilant, we cannot relax. I spoke last week about my trip to New Zealand. I stopped in Singapore on the way, where I encountered a tough customs officer. She asked, "Do you know the law about drugs in Singapore and that the death penalty exists for the importation of drugs? Do you have any drugs?" One must get the two questions right. The answer to the first is, "Yes, I know the law," and to the second, "No, I don't have any drugs." She then asked if she could clean my golf clubs and golf shoes. That was Singapore taking action even when there were no threats. They were vigilant all the time to ensure that no disease entered their country. The people of Ireland are vigilant now. My company is getting many queries and reminders about products, mats at the doors and so on. We should make sure that vigilance is maintained.

The third need is a crisis management system in operation in future. We moved this time but we were not fast enough. We were not ready for this crisis and it took us by surprise. We need a crisis management system and a means of getting information, not propaganda, to the rest of Europe and the world. Clearly at a time of crisis people are doubtful and query one's motives. Let us make sure we can answer queries such as those raised today in France about the possibility of their cases originating in Ireland.

The fourth need is for balance. While we are fighting tooth and nail to beat this we must recognise there are other interests and that it must be possible to get the balance right. The tourism industry is already suffering and while it is hard to say when we have such a huge threat to agriculture and food, we must have a balanced approach. The tourism, sport and hotel industries are all affected and we must get the balance right.

The fifth need is to remind ourselves that the future is in our own hands. This disease may have come into the country from the Far East by way of food imported into Britain for restaurants. However, it entered Ireland because we did not recognise how much we must do for ourselves. We have mentioned the British World War II phrase "the enemy within" but we have always had a tradition of not snitching on our friends and neighbours. However, this is a time when we must be patriotic and the patriotic thing to do is to report one's neighbour if he or she is misbehaving, even if that person has been one's neighbour for years. It is clear that people knew about the smuggling that was going on but too many people turned a blind eye over the years. How have we got away with not having a system of ear tagging? The reason is we were not patriotic enough to say we should have one.

The sixth need is to recognise the national commitment that has occurred. We congratulate the Government on containing this in County Louth up to now and isolating it there. That is a great achievement and we must ensure the disease does not spread any further. That would not have happened without the national commitment. Today a person told me his grandchildren were crying when they saw these animals. That is sad but it is nothing compared to the sadness of farmers who have put 100 years of breeding into those animals only to see them slaughtered. It is sad but it has come about because we were not vigilant or committed enough in the past to make sure this sort of thing would never happen again.

Those are six needs we should look at in the future. In the next few hours, days and weeks we must keep those needs in mind but we must also ensure that in the years ahead we do not relax our vigilance and that we do not have this threat hanging over us again. This is a reminder to us of the dangers to our economy, that the thin thread holding the sword that hangs over our heads could disappear very quickly. We did not appreciate how that could happen but we have been reminded this week. Let us make sure that we learn that lesson in the future.

I welcome the Minister for State and the opportunity to speak on this topic. It is only right that we should wholeheartedly extend our congratulations to the Minister of State, the Minister, Deputy Walsh and the officials at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and all other bodies involved in fighting this disease. The Garda Síochána has been doing a magnificent job.

The people who are to be congratulated most of all are the general public. In my lifetime, I have never seen people uniting totally behind the national interest at a time of crisis. It is fantastic to see it. From time to time we will all argue, fight and quibble about things across this floor and at various meetings. However, when the chips are down we can pull together and do the job. The authorities are doing an excellent job and should be complimented.

We are fortunate to have only one case of foot and mouth disease confirmed here. It is equally important that we work hard to ensure that that is where it stays. From a geographic point of view, we are also fortunate that the outbreak has occurred in a peninsula, albeit that for the people in that area it is a catastrophe. From a national point of view, there is some benefit, if I may use that word, in the fact that it is in a peninsula and in the north east, bearing in mind the prevailing winds and the fact that the virus can be windborne.

It is vital not to lose sight of the fact that we need to identify exactly how this infection occurred. There are suggestions that it came across the Border and others that it did not. We need to find out exactly how it came. This leads on to what Senator Quinn said about getting the mechanisms in place to prevent this type of occurrence in the future.

Ireland is synonymous with quality food which is safe. I was particularly disturbed to read in the paper today the report of a computer study that was carried out in a college in London in the last fortnight. In relation to BSE and CJD, this sug gested that the possibility of infected meat being on the market is approximately 200 times greater in this jurisdiction than in the UK. This type of publication is very dangerous. It is a computer study of some facts and many assumptions and to publicise that at a time when people have genuine concerns about food quality is reprehensible. This comes at a time when the general public in the UK are very concerned about the quality of their food. I note that the same body also suggested that the risk factor for the same diseases in France is 25 times greater than in the UK. There is a huge danger of using information incorrectly. It is the old story of lies, damn lies and statistics. We must be extremely careful about the use of this information.

There have been suggestions that controls at some of the ports in England are less than they should be. The Minister of State should do all he can to encourage the authorities in the United Kingdom to work with us in containing the disease. Senator Quinn referred to the suggestion being made that the second outbreak of foot and mouth disease in France has been linked with Ireland. We need to know all the facts. It is in everybody's interests that we work together to ensure the disease is contained. I hope the Minister of State will take up this point.

If there is one good thing which has transpired from the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, it is that it has provided us with an opportunity to forcefully attack the problem of smuggling which has been endemic for years. Many are aware of the fact that the smuggling of animals without permits as if there was no border has been taking place for years. We have not taken the stringent and tough measures needed to eradicate this practice, but there is now an opportunity to do so. The public will be fully behind any Government which implements the necessary measures to root out those involved. We must ensure they face the full rigours of the law in putting them out of business. The practice is undermining not just the livelihoods of the farming community, but the economy as a whole. Until we tackle the problem we face the risk of an recurrence.

While driving to Dublin this morning I heard Mr. Frank Corcoran of the IFA say on local radio that the IFA was in favour of traceability of sheep, but he did not say that it favoured tagging. It is very concerned that there should be traceability throughout the process from the farm gate. We should be able to trace an animal from birth to death. That should not particularly difficult. The system required needs to be discussed and everybody needs to be happy with and committed to it. Senator Quinn deals with those who have successfully engaged in the practice for many years and the public supports his products because of traceability. We need to put such a system in place for our international markets. I encourage the IFA to adopt a much more focused attitude on tagging and traceability from birth to death.

I wish to share my time with Senator Connor.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I welcome the Minister of State and compliment him on the work he has done since the outbreak of the disease. An outbreak of a disease such as this is a great test of national solidarity. Every sector of the community, realising the enormity of the crisis facing the country, has sought to play its part since the first mention of foot and mouth disease. This can be seen in many areas. Midleton Rugby Club would not travel to Derry city last week because many of its members come from farming areas and they did not want to put their neighbours at risk. The fact that the Carlow hurlers will not play their match this weekend – which they had a good chance of winning – is an indication of the way people feel and the way they are prepared to make sacrifices to protect the wider interest. Those examples are replicated throughout the country. It is important that we do nothing to damage that sense of solidarity.

It will be difficult to maintain sustained vigilance. It would be fair to say that, before the outbreak of last week, complacency was beginning to creep in and that one could see that people were of the view that we had beaten the disease. We were great guys and could relax. Until the all-clear is given there can be no complacency or relaxation. That will not be easy because there are various interests, particularly in tourism, which have legitimate questions to ask. Their livelihoods are being damaged and they have a right to expect the Government to do everything in its power to minimise the losses they are bearing, through no fault of their own, in the national interest. Like our neighbours in Britain, we cannot take the cold-blooded decision that the tourism industry is far more important to the economy than agriculture and put its interests first. Those involved in the industry, however, have a right to expect that they will be listened to and that the Government will have their interests at heart. It will likewise be difficult to maintain a blanket ban on sport given that there has been a relaxation. Let us hope that it can remain in place because for as long as there is a crisis we have no choice, but to maintain vigilance.

Other speakers have mentioned a matter which has arisen from the crisis, that is, that there are very serious wrongs which have now been highlighted and in respect of which the public will have no patience with the Government or the Government of the neighbouring jurisdiction if they are not tackled head on. In Border areas smuggling and lawlessness are a way of life. In many cases the rule of law has broken down and the security forces on both sides of the Border are either unwilling or unable to impose the writ of the two Governments. We have seen that much of the damage has arisen from this and once the crisis is over or before the public will have a legitimate right to expect that every device available to the State will be used, from the Criminal Assets Bureau onwards, to ensure this state of affairs is brought to an end.

Senator Callanan and others indicated the crookedness and criminal activities engaged in at many levels in the agriculture sector. It has been a case of a wink and a nod and those involved have not been prosecuted. There will be no excuse and the public will not be tolerant if the full rigours of the law are not implemented and there is no official determination to make sure these matters are rooted out. There is a major need for a review of whether free movement has gone too far and whether there is a case for the reintroduction of certain Border controls which had an effect in the public interest.

The Minister and others thanked the urban population for its solidarity, co-operation and the part it has played. The Minister was right to do so on behalf of the Government, but a word of thanks from farm leaders would not go astray.

I thank Senator Manning for sharing his time with me. There are a couple of matters I want to raise because I have spoken on a number of occasions on this national crisis.

Members have mentioned the allegation by France that the second outbreak of foot and mouth disease close to Paris is related to the export of lamb from here. I want the Minister to make a statement on this matter as it is very serious to allege that we are exporting the disease to one of the major food producers in Europe. As this allegation is made through official channels, we need to be able to gainsay or deal with it.

The first major incident happened in the county in which I live, County Roscommon. Sheep or lambs were taken from Meigh, County Armagh, where the first outbreak took place in Northern Ireland, and slaughtered in the meat processing factory in Athleague. We are told that this lamb was then exported to France. Is it said that that is the consignment that is the source of infection? It is very important that the matter be cleared up because it is a most serious allegation.

The incident at Athleague and what was taken there were very interesting in that they exposed the issue of smuggling. The sheep or lambs taken there came from Northern Ireland from where they should not have come in the first instance. What is worse – horror of horrors – they came from a farm on which there was an outbreak of foot and mouth disease. There is a Garda investigation in progress and it appears that many people are involved. It appears to be common practice also that sheep sourced outside the Republic are imported in direct competition with domestic producers and that there is an elaborate system whereby the animals are kept on land of people in the vicinity of meat plants. As they have to be nationalised, they are kept overnight or for a little longer on a neighbouring farm. Who is the actual owner? As a person from outside the jurisdiction cannot give his or her name and address, the name of a local is used. This elaborate and, for them, complete system is very pervasive, not just in Athleague, where there is a good deal of evidence to show that it is in place.

I would like the Minister of State to be as frank and comprehensive with the House as he can in relation to Athleague. Has the Garda reported back to his Department on its investigation? What is happening with the person responsible for transporting the animals to Athleague who sought immunity for his actions on a radio show? Do we have a law under which such a person can be prosecuted? Is the Department seeking the co-operation of the Garda and other agencies to ensure such persons are prosecuted? Far from granting immunity, it appears that a serious investigation into the transportation of animals from Northern Ireland to Athleague is warranted.

While I have nothing but praise for the Minister of State and his officials for the way in which they have handled matters, there was something unseemly about the meeting last week between the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister on the verges of the Stockholm Summit. The spin is that the Taoiseach took a very tough line with the Prime Minister because the British were not doing enough in relation to the measures in place at ports in Northern Ireland. That brought an immediate and angry reaction from the Northern Ireland Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and former Member of the House, Mrs. Brid Rodgers. That sends out the wrong message because either the Taoiseach and Mr. Blair had angry words in Stockholm or they did not. There should be all-island co-operation in relation to this matter.

I wish to share my time with Senator Moylan.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I compliment the Minister of State, the Minister and Department officials in the Ballymascanlon office for their good work in County Louth, especially in the Cooley Peninsula where the outbreak of foot and mouth disease was confirmed in Proleek last Thursday. I also compliment the work undertaken beforehand in patrolling the area and ensuring that farms were placed under observation. Everybody was very upset by the news but almost a week later it is fortunate that there have been no further outbreaks. We must commend Department officials for the controls they put in place and for the long hours they and the Garda have worked, especially at weekends. We owe them a great debt of gratitude for their determination to keep the disease at bay. It appears to be out of control in England. If it spread here it would be the ruination of the country. It will be a great achievement for the Taoiseach, the Minister, the Minister of State, Department officials, the Garda Síochána, Teagasc and others involved if the disease can be confined to the confirmed outbreaks at Meigh on 1 March and at Proleek last Thursday.

Senator Quinn referred to the need for balance. When the Minster learnt of the outbreak last Thursday he and his Department struck the right balance in allowing low key activities to proceed. This was a good decision. Almost a week later there have been no further reported outbreaks. We must promote tourism and advertise that the country is open for business and that it does not have a significant problem with foot and mouth disease. While there has been a drop in tourist numbers, these will increase if we can contain the disease and continue with the revival of low key activities. I hope the disease will not spread and I compliment Department officials in the Ballybay and Ballymascanlon offices and the Clontibret office, established to control the Border areas in County Monaghan.

I compliment the Minister, Minister of State and Department officials on their excellent work in managing this crisis so efficiently. Farmers must plan for the long haul. Teagasc should devise plans for them, not only in the affected areas but throughout the country. Many will be unable to sell stock, especially calves and stores, where severe problems are emerging. With planning they will be able to overcome these problems but Teagasc must get involved with all farmers, even those who are not Teagasc clients.

Many problems remain, especially with regard to wildlife. Given the new plantations in the country much wildlife travels through farmlands. Every effort must be made to manage the numbers. Landowners must properly fence their holdings to ensure wildlife does not stray from planted to other farming areas. The problems associated with wildlife adjacent to golf clubs must also be addressed.

In the past people turned a blind eye to the importation of calves and sheep, but today the identities of importers are well known. Reference was made to the use of bed and breakfast accommodation but this raises the question of how calves were re-tagged and re-classified as Irish within a few days of coming into the country and leaving it. This matter must be addressed.

When last week the Taoiseach announced the outbreak of the disease in this country the reaction in every household was close to that experienced at a time of family bereavement. Those who do not have land have put their shoulders to the wheel to ensure that everything possible is done to keep the disease from spreading. I compliment the district veterinary offices, the members of the Garda Síochána who have left their homes to work on the Border and others who have made a wonderful effort to ensure that the disease does not spread. Given the way it can spread, be it by air or otherwise, it will not be easy to succeed in this.

I compliment everyone involved, particularly Department officials and the Minister. I thank the Leader for the opportunity to debate this matter.

I wish to share my time with Senator Costello.

Acting Chairman:

That is agreed.

As time is short, I will spare the Minister of State my congratulations. The general public have been absolutely marvellous in their response to the needs of the farming community, but that community had better realise that the sort of carry on that was obviously taking place on a wide scale will no longer be tolerated.

I heard the Minister of State say here some time ago that if farmers needed to be licensed to farm, that would have to be done. They must understand that food safety is of paramount importance to the consumer and that the traceability of food is vital. I was sickened during the past week listening to people on the radio say that the tagging of lambs is impossible and giving the various reasons it could not be done. They must understand they will have to tag them somehow. I heard about a bolus that can be put into an animal's stomach which would cost £6 per unit. If that were widely used, the price would decrease. All I am told about microchips is that there are problems because they move. There must be someone in this nation who can fix it that such microchips would not move. These are only excuses for continuing the sort of corruption that has been evident. Corruption is the only word to use.

It would be a good idea to go through the beef tribunal report, which did not include recommendations, to learn something from it. I cannot see any improvement in this area during the past ten years.

The public will not put up with this position any more. Those involved in other industries, particularly tourism ranging from those who organise conferences to those who have small bed and breakfast accommodation, have been appalled by what has happened to their businesses. I do not believe the industry will recover this season.

I thank Senator Henry for sharing her time with me. I could not agree more with what she said. The farming community should sincerely thank the urban community who have been tremendous in their support in this time of crisis and their sensitivity in recognising how serious and important agriculture is to the well being of the nation. That concern underpinned the call for a Department of food last week. We must consider this issue much more from the consumer's point of view and ensure every item that appears on a table is traceable to its origins.

I am pleased the Government seems to have a fairly effective policy of containment of the cur rent outbreak. It is important we deal with the matter by way of containment, punishment of the perpetrators and the putting in place of measures to ensure this problem does not happen again.

I was worried to hear a divergence of opinion in a number of areas. I heard the Taoiseach criticise the British controls and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development do the opposite. He said he was quite satisfied with the controls that have been operating in relation to Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom. I heard him give one version of the whereabouts of the so-called 40 missing sheep and the Minister for agriculture in Northern Ireland give a different version. I heard the Minister for agriculture in France give one version of how the second case of foot and mouth disease appeared in France and our Minister give a different version of the likely manner in which it occurred. There is a serious divergence of opinion on the movement of animals. I would like much more clarification and knowledge upfront on the real situation.

Is the Senator implying that the sheep exported to France had FMD?

No, I am saying that the Minister—

Is the Senator implying that?

No, I am saying that—

It is serious if the Senator is.

If the Minister of State would listen—

I listened.

He should have listened to what I said.

That there were two different stories.

Yes, I said that—

The French have accepted that it did not occur through our sheep.

They must have accepted—

This is too serious to let it go.

The French Minister for agriculture said that in their view it was caused by sheep that emanated from Ireland. That was the cause of the second outbreak.

(Interruptions.)

I did not say whether they were British or Irish sheep.

The French are saying they were Irish sheep.

We know it was British sheep coming into Ireland illegally that caused the outbreak here, but the French are saying it was sheep that at least passed through Ireland, that came from Ireland to France. I would like clear knowledge of that. We are getting contradictory information on this. The Minister for agriculture in Northern Ireland is also at variance with our Minister on what happened to the 40 missing sheep. We want that information.

What about getting information on how the Garda investigation is proceeding? Have there been any arrests yet? A man spoke on the public airwaves who said he was responsible for the importation. We know sheep were smuggled into a farm in south Armagh, that they were brought to a factory in Roscommon, that improper illegal procedures were followed and that there was an outbreak in Proleek in County Louth, which seems to have been associated with an illegal consignment of sheep. What is happening with the investigation? Why can we not get some information? A month has passed since the first illegal smuggling of sheep that brought about the outbreak of the disease in Northern Ireland, yet we do not have one iota of hard information on what is being done to apprehend the perpetrators of this crime that could wreck our economy. Why can we not have some information on that?

The investigations are ongoing and doing so might damage them.

If investigations are ongoing, have there been any arrests? The giving of that information will not damage them. Surely we can be given information of that nature.

I do not understand why the Criminal Assets Bureau cannot be brought in if it is factual that there are bank accounts of smugglers around the Border that seem to be well known – the information is coming out that they are well known – yet no activity seems to have been taken by the authorities, the forces of law and order, the Garda, to ascertain what is going on. I call for an early introduction of the Criminal Assets Bureau to deal with this matter.

Long before this matter is over, we should put in place appropriate measures to ensure that if a similar emergency arises in the future, we will have an emergency plan ready to go into operation immediately, one that would be implemented under the auspices of the Minister of State's Department in co-operation with the local authorities, civil aviation, sporting organisations, all the relevant bodies, the Department of the Environment and Local Government and so on. We should ensure the units to implement such a plan can be put in place virtually automatically on an all-Ireland basis. We do not currently have such a plan ready.

Acting Chairman:

I thank the Minister of State for coming into the House to take this matter.

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