Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, for coming to the House today to discuss the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Brazil and the discovery of avian influenza in Romania and Turkey. The former Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Joe Walsh, displayed exemplary leadership when he protected our country from the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the UK. His actions provide a model for university students on the essential nature of leadership. He was able to get the support of the people of Ireland.

I commend the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, and the Minister of State on their prompt action in banning the importation of beef from the Brazilian regions of São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sol and Parana, all of which have experienced foot and mouth disease. This ban is necessary and completely justified for human and animal health reasons. No chances should be taken. The outbreak of the disease in Brazil is significant. Not only is Brazil the largest exporter of beef but the outbreak of foot and mouth disease has occurred in one of the main regions from which exports to the EU are approved, accounting for two thirds of last year's import volumes from Brazil. The EU has also banned imports from the three Brazilian regions and I commend the Minister and her European counterparts for the manner in which they have worked in unison to protect the health of European citizens and animals.

The president of the Irish Farmers Association, Mr. John Dillon, has called for a total ban on the import of Brazilian beef and he raised practical concerns about the risks associated with Brazilian beef in terms of unknown origin and lack of traceability. During my tenure as a board member of Bord Bia, the traceability of ready made meals was the subject of regular discussions.

The Brazilian authorities are examining the possibility that its current outbreak of foot and mouth disease originated in Paraguay. Russia has implemented a temporary ban on Paraguayan beef imports. It is interesting to note that the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea have imposed a complete ban on beef imports from Brazil.

With regard to avian influenza, people feel a sense of danger, given that it is a highly contagious viral infection and can affect all species of birds, which by their nature do not respect national borders. Since 2003, this particularly virulent strain has caused more than 125 million birds to die or be destroyed in south east Asia. Eradication is proving extremely difficult. Outbreaks have also occurred in 2004 in the USA, Canada and South Africa and in this year in Russia and Kazakhstan. Recent cases have been confirmed in Romania, Turkey, Russia, China and, within EU borders, in Greece. Since 1999, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany have all experienced incidents of the disease.

The avian influenza does not affect humans and is only spread through contact with infected birds. However, during the recent outbreak in Asia, 60 people died from such contacts. Scientists are concerned that the virus may mutate and spread to other animals and humans. This is a situation that we must do everything possible to avoid. The EU has worked promptly to ban the import of live birds, fresh poultry meat and untreated feathers from several countries in south east Asia and I commend the Minister and the Minister of State on their commitment to implement such measures as are appropriate to an Irish context. Similarly, the introduction of the early warning system is a reassurance. No risk should be taken with human or animal health.

As someone who has been involved in the food industry, I have empathy for suppliers and shop owners who have stocks of poultry and fish on their shelves. They must be terrified that something will go wrong.