Jack Wall
Ceist:227 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason the sheep farmers on the Curragh are not permitted to use their claims on the plains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16827/01]
Written Answers. - Animal Movement Controls.
Sheep are considered to present a particular risk in the spread of foot and mouth disease because of the difficulty in diagnosing the disease and the length of the incubation period in the species. For this reason it remains the case that normal movement of sheep has not yet been allowed to resume. Equally, I do not yet consider it appropriate to allow sheep back on to the Curragh where there is open grazing and to which the public has access.
I will keep this matter under review in the light of veterinary advice on the results of the programme of serological screening for FMD of up to 200,000 sheep in which my Department is at present engaged and the ongoing risk overhang from the UK.
Jack Wall
Ceist:228 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if a farmer who is adjacent to the Curragh plains, has claims on the plains and who has had his sheep tested, the results of which are clear, can move the sheep to another out-farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16829/01]
The Deputy will be aware that a range of animal movement controls has been introduced in recent months as a precautionary measure against the possible spread of foot and mouth disease. The incubation period of FMD in sheep is long and the disease can be particularly difficult to clinically diagnose in sheep. In these circumstances the movement of sheep is allowed only under permit either for slaughter or for welfare reasons.
The flock owner referred to by the Deputy is at liberty to apply to his local district veterinary office for a movement permit and his application will be assessed on the basis of the standard criteria.