This article is from page 38 of the 2007-08-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 38 JPG
AFTER one of the most worrying weeks in recent years, farmers all over Ireland are breathing a sigh of relief as the Foot and Mouth threat appears to have subsided.
After a brief halt in animal move- ment, the live export trade resumed through France on Friday with French authorities satisfying them- selves about the safety of Irish beef.
Even a short cessation of the live export trade through France could have had a huge effect on the beef market in Ireland as nearly all of the countries 138,000 head of live-ex- port cattle travel through France.
“We all know that live exports are essential and the resumption of nor-
mal conditions shows that the health and quality of our herd is recognised by all the relevant authorities,” said Jackie Cahill, President of the IC- MSA.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Ag- riculture and Food, Mary Coughlan TD, has described Friday’s confir- mation of a second case of foot and mouth disease in Surrey as ‘disap- pointing but not surprising’.
Minister Coughlan has been hold- ing daily Foot and Mouth update meeting with her chief advisers and confirmed that a complete ban was being maintained on the importation from Great Britain of cattle, sheep, pigs and goats, meat – including fresh and minced meat as well as meat preparations and meat products
from such animals, milk and dairy products and some other animal products.
In certain circumstances, some meat and dairy products as well as other animal products may be ex- ported from Great Britain 1f accom- panied by a health certificate and, in Some instances, an endorsed com- mercial document.
The ban on British beef and other products will remain in place until August 25 at the very earliest. This was confirmed by the European Commission, who now have the power to extend the ban even further, in the event of new cases.
It has been confirmed that tests on two farms in Surrey, where foot and mouth had been suspected, have been
returned negative.
It is as yet still unclear where the outbreak originated but a deliberate leak from the nearby Pirbright labo- ratory has not been ruled out.
The British government moved to relax conditions for the movement of animals over the weekend
Animals within the UK can now be moved to slaughter in all areas except the 10km protection zone around the affected farms in Surrey.