Walsh praises response to foot-and-mouth

The former Minister for Agriculture who spearheaded Ireland's successful defence against the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak has praised the swift action by the British authorities in the latest crisis.

Retired TD Joe Walsh said the epidemic six years ago was the biggest challenge of his career but many lessons had been learned by the Irish and British Governments.

In 2001, only one outbreak was confirmed in the Republic - on a farm on the Cooley Peninsula in Co Louth.

Mr Walsh, 64, said current Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan and the Department of Agriculture acted very swiftly at the weekend to put import bans in place and to close off ports and airports.

"British officials seem to have identified and isolated the source of the infection quite early and this is very different from the chaotic situation in 2001," he told PA.

"From the start this time around, the Taoiseach has been in touch with First Minister Rev Ian Paisley to ensure an comprehensive all-island strategy keeps the disease off farms in Northern Ireland and the Republic."

The former dairy manager who was dropped from the Cabinet in 2004, added: "It was certainly the biggest challenge of my political career. Anybody in a decision-making role is really put to the test in a situation like that but thanks to strong public support and good advice from the experts, the Government strategy was very successful."

Several cultural and sporting events were postponed like the St Patrick's Day Parade and Six Nations home games.

The nation held its breath on several occasions as samples from farms in Roscommon, Louth and Carlow were sent to laboratories in England but proved negative.

Disinfectant mats were placed at all public places close to farms and Garda and Army reinforcements patrolled protection zones and along Border crossings.