There will be another day to debate the Brazilian situation

BASED on what they found during an intensive visit to Brazil earlier this year, IFA have been fully justified in highlighting their serious concerns about imports to the EU, including Ireland, from a country with foot and mouth disease in its national herd, and controls which do not inspire confidence.

Having made their point, engaging in a public squabble on the issue with Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan is serving no useful purpose, when the source of infection in England appears to have been the local laboratory, not Brazil, the implications of which would be far more serious.

There will be another day to debate the Brazilian situation, which needs sorting out, because the risks are too serious into the future.

The IFA and the minister must combine their strengths to deal with the situation, ensuring all necessary precautions are in place to protect this country from spread of a livestock disease which strikes fear into everyone across the entire economy.

There were serious losses and an amount of hardship from the single outbreak in 2001 in the Cooley peninsula. Fortunately, it was contained within a small area, thanks to a united front and universal support for control measures, regardless of personal inconveniences.

What appears to have happened in Surrey proves there is no scope for carelessness, nor for imports to EU from high risk zones.

For now, everyone must work together to protect the national livestock herd. In due time, that should be followed by far more rigorous monitoring of imports, and full information for consumers, so that they can decide what they want for their money.