The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Mr Joe Walsh TD, today commented on the resumption of mart activities after nearly four months of disruption to the trade.
Speaking on a visit to Bandon Mart, Co Cork, the Minister stated that the progress made to date in preventing the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) was due to the tremendous efforts made by all sectors of the community. This had enabled a restoration of a certain level of normality at this point.
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In allowing marts to re-open, the Minister said that he was continuing to balance the trading needs of the farming community with veterinary advice on the measures needed to protect against the spread of disease. The situation would be kept under ongoing review, and the Minister will continue to take on board the advice of the Expert Group in assessing the scope for further changes.
The Minister took the opportunity to again emphasise the fact that things were not back to normal yet. “The continuing disclosure of FMD cases in Britain – some in areas not previously affected – serves as a reminder that FMD still represents a very serious threat to this country,” the Minister said.
He stressed the need for biosecurity and disinfection measures to be effectively deployed, and said that his Department was currently in the process of issuing guidelines in this regard to the relevant parties.
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