Mick's army warned of foot-and-mouth peril

The Government today highlighted the risks of Irish soccer fans following their team to the World Cup at a time of a foot-and-mouth outbreak in Korea, one of the tournament’s host countries.

Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh said the spread of the farm disease was a concern in the context of the World Cup and the enormous influx of visitors to both the Korean and Japanese venues for the ties.

He stressed ‘‘I do not believe the situation poses an immediate threat - but it is one we will obviously have to watch very closely.

‘‘I am conscious that the Korean authorities have activated a range of responses to the position and are considering further courses of action to combat the spread of the disease, and I hope that these will be successful.’’

The minister’s comments followed stringent and successful efforts by the Government last year to prevent foot-and-mouth getting a hold in the Ireland while it was raging in Britain.

Wide-ranging regulations imposed then restricted the disease to just one case in the Republic.

Had it spread more widely, it would have had the potential to seriously undermine the Irish economy.

The Irish team will go to Korea if they manage to progress to the second round of the finals.

Mr Walsh said ‘‘Like every Irish sports fan, I am hoping that Ireland will have a very successful run in the World Cup, and reach the final stages of the competition.

‘‘That would see the team and several thousand Irish fans travelling to Korea,

‘‘It is obviously important that we cater for that eventuality in the context of the current foot-and-mouth outbreak by providing Irish fans with advice that will minimise the risk of the virus being brought back to Britain.’’

Mr Walsh’s ministry plans to distribute leaflets to all Irish supporters heading for the Far East.

He declared ‘‘We want to bring home the World Cup - not foot-and-mouth disease.’’