The Department of Agriculture has issued a warning that, in the event of a foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease case being detected in Ireland, the affected herd will be culled, and a 10km zone with “strict” movement restrictions will be established around the site.
The news comes as today Germany confirmed its first case of FMD since 1988. The disease was identified in water buffalo in Brandenburg, and German authorities have implemented strict measures to prevent its spread as they investigate the cause of the outbreak.
In a statement, Fine Gael Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue TD said he was “dismayed” at the news.
“I know this is a terrible blow to German farmers, particularly the affected herdowner and their neighbours,” he said.
“I know the German authorities are working hard to resolve this. I want to urge everyone in Ireland, particularly farmers, to stay vigilant and to protect our Irish livestock.”
FMD is a highly contagious viral illness affecting cattle, sheep, pigs, and other cloven-hoofed animals. It can result in substantial economic losses due to reduced productivity in infected animals and restricted access to international markets for livestock, meat, and dairy products from affected countries.
According to the Irish Department of Agriculture, “FMD does not infect humans and does not pose a food safety risk,” and “Ireland is free of FMD, having had its last case in 2001.”
However, they say they are “taking action to protect Irish livestock” in the wake of the German outbreak, and that they have confirmed that “no animals susceptible to FMD (i.e. cattle, sheep, pigs, etc) have been imported into Ireland from Germany since 1st November 2024, which is long before the case in Germany would have been first infected.”
“If a FMD case were to be identified in Ireland, the infected herd would be culled, the site disinfected, and a 3k protection zone and 10k surveillance zone set up, within which very strict movement controls and testing would be imposed,” the Department continued.
“A national movement ban is very likely to be imposed in the first days after any initial FMD case. If a case of FMD were to occur in Ireland, it would lead to the immediate loss of market access for Irish animals and animal products.”
They added: “Any suspect cases of FMD in Ireland should be reported immediately to the local Regional Veterinary Office or by phone to the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01 492 8026 (outside of office hours).”