Free movement is aim of all-island animal health and welfare strategy

THE ultimate aim of an all-island animal health and welfare strategy now being developed will be the free movement of animals on the island of Ireland.

Speaking after a north-south ministerial council meeting in Co Antrim yesterday, the North’s agriculture minister, Michelle Gldernew, said progress continues to be made on the development of the strategy.

She said her officials will continue to work closely with their counterparts in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the south.

Ms Gildernew said she and her counterpart in the south, Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith, will be hosting a conference in the autumn. Key industry stakeholders from each jurisdiction will be involved in discussing the out-workings of the strategy and how it is to be delivered.

Ms Gildernew said close co-operation on animal health issues on the island of Ireland has the potential to help reduce and prevent animal disease spread, facilitate trade and improve the sustainability of farming. Sustained co-operation between both administrations will be essential to prevent the further spread of disease in the event of a major outbreak.

The problems in Britain due to foot and mouth, avian flu and bluetongue have put the spotlight on the value of this approach on the island.

Contingency plan common chapters have now been agreed for foot and mouth disease, avian influenza and bluetongue.

These will put protocols in place to ensure timely communication in the event of a disease outbreak. They set out agreed lines of communication at various levels in each department and with key external stakeholders.

Ms Gildernew confirmed that an early warning system has been agreed to deal with major incidents such as the recent animal feed contamination issue.

Three cabinet ministers from the south – Brendan Smith (agriculture), Eamon Ryan (natural resources) and Éamon O Cuív (rural) – attended the meeting in Greenmount Campus, along with Minister of State Conor Lenihan.

The North’s environment minister, Edwin Poots, and junior minister, Robin Newton, also attended.