The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, was quite correct to warn the Irish people in the strongest possible terms about the danger foot-and-mouth disease still presents to this island. We are all aware of the damage already caused to the economies of the Republic and Northern Ireland by the limited number of cases which hit both sides of the border during March and April. The loss to the State through the curbs on agricultural exports and damage to tourism is conservatively estimated to be in excess of £1.5 billion.
The response by the Irish public to the crisis which began with the importation of infected sheep from Britain through Northern Ireland, was a wonderful demonstration of genuine patriotism and co-operation between town and country. This remarkable effort, combined with the closure of the Irish countryside and cancellation of major cultural and sporting events, helped to prevent the spread of the disease. It contrasted with the frequently haphazard response in many parts of Britain - which may have facilitated a resurgence of outbreaks there.
The reward for the Republic came with the return on June 22nd to full trading status for our agricultural goods and the possibility that, by the end of the year, some of the lost tourist trade could be won back, though horrific events in the US may scupper this. With this success fending-off the disease, however, came a lowering of defences so successfully put and kept in place early in the crisis. This was evident in many public places but also on Irish farms. It coincided with a significant rise in the number of cases being recorded on British farms in August despite the protestations of the British government that it was doing all in its power to eradicate the disease.
The Minister said managing the renewed risk entails first and foremost ensuring we do not become complacent. Any lowering of our guard at this stage would allow the virus to re-establish itself.
The cancellation of the National Ploughing Championships in Laois next month is part of the new reality with which we must all live until the disease is finally eradicated in Britain.