Fine Gael calls for foot and mouth risk re-assessment

THE likelihood that a second foot and mouth outbreak in Britain originated from the same source as last month’s cases must lead to a full risk re-assessment, Fine Gael said yesterday.

Denis Naughten, TD, the party’s agriculture and food spokesman, said it will be a matter of some slight relief if, as seems likely, the new case has been caused by the same strain as the August outbreak.

Coming only days after the all-clear was announced, it raises questions about the adequacy of the British approach. Mr Naughten said Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan deserves credit for her response to the outbreaks to date, but he urged her to take an especially strong interest in the measures currently being taken in Britain.