Farmers Must Plan For No Relaxation in Animal Movement Restrictions
Issued 30thMarch 2001
Teagasc has advised farmers to plan for a continuation of the severe restrictions on animal movement for at least the next two to three weeks.
Donal Carey, Director of Operations with Teagasc, said farmers would be foolish to expect any easing of the current restrictions on animal sales other than on permit direct to slaughter and on health and welfare grounds within individual farms.
"Until we are sure that the entire island of Ireland is again free of foot and mouth can we begin to contemplate a gradual relaxation of the current restrictions", he said.
"The risks are too great. We need only look at the trauma experienced by the 120 farmers in Louth to begin to understand the devastation for farm families and the economy which would result from further outbreaks of foot and mouth. We also have the overhang of the UK epidemic with daily outbreaks still running at 30-40 with no real sign of abatement", said Mr Carey.
"Teagasc acknowledges that income and feed problems are becoming more acute on many farms due to inability to sell animals. But farmers have no choice but to accept the necessity for continued restrictions", he added.
He again committed the full resources of Teagasc in helping farmers to cope with the continuing emergency.
"All farmers experiencing difficulty should contact Teagasc where expert advice is available to help confront short-term financial and feed problems", he added.
Mr Carey announced that Teagasc has issued 32,000 permits for movement of animals direct to meat plants since the permit system was introduced on Tuesday, March 6th. He also announced that Teagasc Foot and Mouth Helplines will continue to operate in every county from 9.00am to 5.00pm over the weekend.
