A plan is being put in place to protect Irish livestock after an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Germany.
Germany confirmed its first case of foot and mouth disease since 1988 on Friday. The disease was detected in water buffalo in the state of Brandenburg.
The German authorities have put in place strict controls to prevent onward spread and are investigating the circumstances of the outbreak.
Ireland has not had a case of foot and mouth disease, which is one of the most contagious disease of livestock, since the outbreak in 2001.
The Department of Agriculture has said an outbreak of foot and mouth disease would have a serious negative impact on the Irish livestock sector and the national economy.
So what would happen if a case was confirmed now? And what measures are in place to try and prevent that from happening?
Outbreak control measures
In the event of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Ireland, control measures are introduced to eradicate the disease.
Restriction zones, known as protection (3km) and surveillance zones (10km), are established around the location of an outbreak.
Monitoring and sampling of animals on farms within these zones is carried out as well as restrictions on any activities that may spread the disease to other animals or farms.
Nationwide restrictions and additional control measures may be introduced depending on the disease situation, for example: additional biosecurity measures on farms and controls on the movements of animals and animal products.
Susceptible animals on the affected farm and other farms with a high risk of infection are culled.
How could foot and mouth disease enter Ireland?
Foot and mouth disease is endemic in several parts of Asia and in most of Africa and the Middle East.
In Latin America, the majority of countries apply zoning and are recognised as foot and mouth disease-free, either with or without vaccination.
Foot and mouth disease could be introduced to Ireland through a number of ways.
These include:
- Illegal imports of contaminated food products, for example: meat and dairy products;
- Import of infected animals;
- Contaminated materials, for example: vehicle, equipment, clothing, footwear;
- Airborne - the virus can be spread up to 60km overland and 300km over water.
How is Ireland kept free from foot and mouth disease?
Strict rules are in place to prevent the entry of foot and mouth disease into Ireland, the Department of Agriculture has said.
A third country is the most likely source of the disease through the following routes:
- Animal products (for example, meat and dairy) from third countries must comply with stringent import control requirements and undergo inspection in a designated Border Control Post supervised by the department;
- It is illegal to bring meat and dairy products into the EU as personal consignments, for example: in personal luggage or through postal services;
- The feeding of food waste to livestock that contains meat or has been in contact with meat is illegal.
People who have had contact with livestock in foot and mouth disease affected countries should avoid contact with livestock upon their return to Ireland until all hygienic precautions have been taken.
These include showering, washing clothes at a high temperature wash cycle, and cleaning and disinfecting footwear.
Air passengers returning to Ireland from foot and mouth disease affected countries who have had been on livestock farms should attend the Department of Agriculture office in the airport.
Susceptible species of live animals entering Ireland from third countries must comply with stringent import control requirements and undergo inspection in a designated Border Control Post supervised by the Department of Agriculture.
Vigilance among Irish farmers
Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, has said: “I am dismayed to hear of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Germany today.
"I know this is a terrible blow to German farmers, particularly the affected herdowner and their neighbours. I know the German authorities are working hard to resolve this.
"I want to urge everyone in Ireland, particularly farmers, to stay vigilant and to protect our Irish livestock.”
Speaking to Newstalk, deputy president of the Irish Farmers' Association, Alice Doyle, urged farmers here to stay vigilant.
She said the Department of Agriculture must ensure that there is no imports of animals or food products from the affected area in Germany.
No animals susceptible to foot-and-mouth, which include cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and deer, have been imported from Germany to Ireland since November 1st.
