Government warns of foot-and-mouth threat

The Government today urged caution over foot-and-mouth following reports of fresh outbreaks in Britain.

A single case in Britain means maximum alert here. There is evidence that disinfectant mats introduced at farms at other premises at the height of the crisis have not been maintained. The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh

But a spokesman for the Department of Agriculture said although new cases in the UK should serve as a "timely warning" for Ireland, reintroducing more stringent restrictions was not being considered at this time.

He said measures at the State’s ports and airports were the front line in keeping the disease out of the country.

The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, has accepted increasing laxity and complacency in maintaining foot-and-mouth precautions and has asked people to reinvigorate their measures.

He said: "A single case in Britain means maximum alert here. There is evidence that disinfectant mats introduced at farms at other premises at the height of the crisis have not been maintained".

"It's important that farms here continue to follow all the advice they have been given. There is no case for relaxing precautions. "We have allowed a certain degree of normalisation to return, but vigilance has to be maintained," he said.

The Irish Republic has recording only one outbreak of the disease - on a sheep farm in Co Louth, close to the border.

The Department said it would continue to consult with the Expert Advisory Group which issues recommendations on measures required.

All animals being bought are subject to the 30-day rule which means they must have been on the sellers land for at least that period. Purchasers of animals are also obliged to hold animals for at least 30-days before they are moved on.

Additional reporting PA