For the past three weeks, the British Labour Government has responded in a lackadaisical fashion to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease that has forced the destruction of all livestock on more than 200 farms across England, Scotland and Wales. The disease has already spread to Northern Ireland and into France and may have travelled further. All of Europe's agriculture is threatened. The continuation of an understanding, supportive attitude towards the preventative measures taken by the British Government is now counter-productive.
When a vital national interest is threatened, you let people know about it. The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, did that ten days ago when he informed Mr Tony Blair of the Government's concerns. But their meeting took place at a time when it appeared the disease outbreak had peaked in Britain and was being brought under control. Any reassurances he received have been undone by subsequent events. In these new circumstances, an unmistakable wake-up call should be sounded for the British Government. The EU is best-placed to apply pressure to London. But it may also be time for the Government to call in the British Ambassador, Sir Ivor Roberts, and advise him of the seriousness with which the situation is now viewed and to insist on a far more robust approach.
This would be preferable to individual Ministers of State expressing their concerns publicly in intemperate, even insulting, language. To describe Britain as "the leper of Europe" - as Minister of State with responsibility for Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Hugh Byrne, did in last Tuesday's London Independent - was crude and unhelpful, even if it reflected the anger felt by some Irish farmers. By using the Department of Foreign Affairs to convey its concerns, the Government would not cause undue damage to the positive relationship that exists between the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, and his counterpart, Mr Nick Brown. Since the outbreak of the disease, Mr Walsh has declined to criticise the preventative measures taken in Britain, while leading by example here at home. But the worsening situation demands a more urgent British response.
British agriculture amounts to about 1 per cent of GNP, compared to an estimated 10 per cent in this State. Its relative unimportance does not, however, excuse the ineffective approach that has been adopted towards disease prevention. Even now, as the Government postpones St Patrick's Day celebrations, calls a halt to outdoor pursuits and requests visitors to stay away, the British authorities - faced by a virtual pandemic - still have not advised families against taking countryside holidays at Easter.
The suspicion must eventually take root that the British Government's limited response to the disease has been influenced by its desire to hold a May general election. The kind of preventative measures adopted here would rule out a general election campaign because of the movement of people involved in canvassing. The British Labour Party has little support among the farming community and clearly does not empathise with its current plight. Having been allowed to massively broaden its infection base in Britain, the disease could quickly reach a critical mass and spread to other European countries. Should that happen, tourism, agriculture and a range of industries and businesses would be seriously affected for months. All of Europe's farm commerce could be effectively suspended. It is time for Britain to recognise its responsibilities to its neighbours. And if it refuses to do so, its neighbours have to express themselves in very blunt terms.