The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, and the farm organisations have appealed to farmers to inspect their animals at least twice daily for the duration of the crisis. Mr Walsh made his appeal during what he termed "this crucial week", which could see the threat of the disease to the Republic diminish somewhat - as it has been a fortnight since the Meigh outbreak.
Mr Tom Parlon, the president of the Irish Farmers' Association, appealed to all farmers to check all animals, but particularly their sheep flocks, which have been most at risk from the outbreak in Britain. Sheep are believed to have been the main source of infection, although pigs and cattle have also contracted the virus. Both the Department of Agriculture and the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have issued detailed guidelines on identifying symptoms and details relevant to the outbreak.