Ireland bans swill feeding

30 March 2001



Ireland bans swill feeding

By Philip Clarke, Europe editor

IRELAND has banned the feeding of swill to pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, deer and poultry as it seeks to contain foot-and-mouth.

The ban starts with immediate effect and runs until the end of the year, when it will be reviewed.

I am strongly of the view that every available safeguard must be put in place to combat this disease, said agriculture minister, Joe Walsh.

There was a particular threat from imported meat products.

International waste, such as galley waste from ships and aircraft, should be buried deep in the ground, he said.

So far, Ireland has had just one case of foot-and-mouth, on a livestock farm in north-east Louth, near to the single outbreak in Northern Ireland.

The results of tests on a sheep from a farm in Co Louth which could confirm the countrys second case of foot-and-mouth are expected on Friday (30 March).

The Irish department of agriculture has also agreed to allow 100% set-aside for farmers in the whole county of Louth for land on which area aid is claimed.

The intention is to discourage farmers from moving machinery around the county, so risking spreading the disease.

Earlier this week, Mr Walsh also announced that livestock numbers could be reduced by 20% on extensification census forms for all farmers in Ireland, to compensate for the effects of movement restrictions.

* The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association has set up a Farmers Restocking Fund in association with the Allied Irish Bank at Kilmallock.

Farmers are being invited to contribute between Ir100 and 150 the equivalent of a calf or one ewe with lambs at foot to help farmers in north-east Louth who have had all their livestock slaughtered due to foot-and-mouth.