Govt re-imposes foot-and-mouth restrictions
The Government tonight imposed a fresh wave of bio-security measures against the spread into the country of Foot-and-Mouth disease.
It comes after a new case of the condition was confirmed by authorities at a farm in England, around 48km from the scene of the last outbreak in August.
A ban on the importation of livestock and animal products from Britain to both the Republic and Northern Ireland has been re-imposed, authorities on both sides of the border confirmed.
The European Commission has also declared Britain a high-risk area and has forbidden the movement of animals in or out of the island.
The Irish agricultural community expressed alarm over the outbreak, coming just days after the State lifted restrictions imposed in the wake of last month’s scare.
Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan said: “We’re disappointed on hearing the news and we have decided to implement an immediate ban, but I also did this in consultation with my own colleague in Northern Ireland [Agriculture Minister] Michelle Gildernew and we have acted immediately and reintroduced the ban which we had here before,” she said.
“Disinfection procedures at ports and airports are being reintroduced immediately.”
Last week Ms Coughlan announced the discontinuation in Ireland of bio-security measures, such as the removal of disinfectant points from ports and airports after Britain was declared free from foot-and-mouth.
A ban on the importation from Britain of live animals, as well as fresh meat, meat products, raw milk and milk products was also lifted.
All have now been reintroduced.
The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) branded the outbreak as alarming and pledged its support for the roll-out of full bio-security measures.
President Padraig Walshe said the outbreak, in the Egham area of Surrey, highlights the infectious and virulent nature of the disease.
Malcolm Thompson, Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) President, said: “This disease does not just affect UK farmers, but Irish farmers also, such is our proximity.”
MEP Mairead McGuinness and Ireland’s representative on the European Parliament’s Agricultural Committee said it was incumbent upon the British authorities to prevent the spread of the disease.
“It is truly alarming that this should occur such a short time after the UK authorities gave the all clear in relation to the earlier outbreaks.
“We need to establish quickly if it is the same foot-and-mouth strain as the previous cases in August which were linked to the Pirbright laboratory site.
“It is incumbent upon the UK authorities to establish rapidly the source of the outbreak and to put in place emergency measures immediately to prevent its spread.
“Today’s news raises the question as to whether or not movement restrictions were lifted too soon, or, worse, were not put in place in time,” she said.
