Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

6. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the plans in place in case of another foot and mouth outbreak, considering recent outbreaks in Europe. [15814/25]

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I ask this question on foot and mouth disease because my community, neighbours and family farm were devastated in 2001 when all our animals had to be culled because of the disease. In light of foot and mouth disease being detected all across Europe, including in Slovakia, Germany and Hungary, I would like to know how ready this country will be if there is an outbreak. What are we doing to stop foot and mouth disease, and also bluetongue disease, from coming to this country?

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy McGreehan for raising what is a really important point. The recent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in Hungary, Slovakia and Germany have highlighted the ongoing threat posed by the disease to Irish livestock. FMD is present in large parts of the developing world, causing major losses to livestock farmers and presenting a continuous risk of spread to parts of the world that are normally free from the disease, such as Ireland.

My Department has comprehensive contingency plans in place to deal with FMD, covering suspect cases, confirmed disease outbreaks and the question of how we would eradicate the disease following an incursion. Simulation exercises are carried out by my officials and the plan is updated as and when needed.

My Department is carrying out an ongoing public awareness campaign to highlight the risk of foot and mouth disease to Ireland. This includes posters at airports and ports to raise vigilance. Livestock owners in Ireland are advised to implement biosecurity measures to mitigate the risk of an outbreak of the disease in this country. Furthermore, anyone coming from an FMD-affected region should avoid entering a farm for 14 days following arrival in Ireland to prevent the risk of contaminated clothing, footwear, vehicles or equipment coming into contact with livestock.

Any vehicles bringing livestock or horses from Hungary, Slovakia or any other affected area to Ireland should be thoroughly disinfected. Officials have carried out a communications campaign for type 2 transporters - that is, people authorised to transport animals - in this regard. I can confirm that there have been no movements of FMD-susceptible species, namely cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, buffalo and camelids, into Ireland from any of the impacted areas in the period since 1 January 2025, which is the potential risk period.

Within my Department, preparations are ongoing to heighten our preparedness for all eventualities and to ensure a prompt and effective response to any suspect FMD case. I thank the Deputy for raising this. I understand she is doing so based on the experience of people in Louth had at the time of the FMD outbreak in 2001. We never want to experience that again. The Deputy should rest assured that if, God forbid, there is another outbreak, we stand ready.

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. It is good to hear that we have protocols at ports. The Minister alluded to North–South co-operation at ports like Larne. As we know, foot and mouth disease came in across the Border on the last occasion. There had been an outbreak in Meigh, south Armagh. It is very important, therefore that we have the protocols.

There was considerable co-operation back in 2001 from the families and farms of the Cooley peninsula. We worked very hard to make sure we saved the rest of the country from the foot and mouth outbreak. I do not believe there would be the same co-operation today if the disease were back in the Cooley Mountains, especially because some sheep farmers on the Cooley peninsula have still not received the same amount of money as other farmers received or were entitled to based on the value of their flocks. I have spoken to the Minister about this and really hope we can engage with the farming organisations and farmers on this. At the minute, we have a two-tier payment system for a 2001 scheme.

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On the point on our island status, I have collaborated very closely with my counterpart Andrew Muir in Stormont, who has responsibility on his side of the Border, be it in respect of avian flu, the potential risk of FMD or, as the Deputy mentioned in her original question, bluetongue. Bluetongue is prevalent in England and is it a very major concern for us as we head into the time of year when its risk of spread by midges increases. The island of Ireland is one epidemiological unit. Diseases and animals do not know where an invisible border is and therefore we work very closely with our counterparts. To take the example of avian flu, our response was very much co-ordinated. We both issued a housing order at the same time, mindful that some of the outbreaks were very close to the Border. What happens in one housing unit could happen in another.

I will address the other points in my response to the Deputy’s supplementary question.

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

At the minute, we have a two-tier compensation scheme for sheep farmers. Some farmers took a legal case and other farmers trusted in the State and believed their circumstances would be reviewed after the legal case. They did so in good faith. Owing to the considerable co-operation, we owe it to the affected farmers on the Cooley peninsula to upgrade their compensation package in line with that available to other farmers.

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand the historic nature of the issue and respect the fact that the Deputy is raising it almost 24 years since the outbreak in 2001, which had a dreadful impact on the whole country but particularly on the Cooley area. I take on board the points the Deputy raised. The matter has an historic nature. I am aware that there were legal cases.