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.