The Department of Agriculture has announced a review of foot-and-mouth guidelines following the first outbreak of the disease in the State today.
The Department's expert group concluded tonight that the recommendations on foot-and-mouth measures made last week to the Department are still appropriate (
[ Expert group's recommendations ]
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Following review of the recommendations, it expressed concern over the level of compliance within the farming community to the disinfection protocols and urged for these to be rigidly adhered to.
With the confirmation of an outbreak in Co Louth, the expert group said it now will seek additional expertise.
It said agreement on the methodology for assessing risks has been reached and all measures in the State's foot-and-mouth contingency plan will apply in controlled areas .
It is to continue its review and assessments of the situation tomorrow.
Following the Group's report, the Minister for Agriculture Mr Joe Walsh warned it was vital that farmers regularly examine their livestock and report to their local veterinary office if they have any concerns.
"As the expert group has pointed out, the possibility of an airborne transmission of foot-and-mouth from Britain requires that farmers along the east coast be particularly vigilant," he said.
Regardless of the expert group's recommendation, the Minister said organisations should consider postponing scheduled sporting, cultural and other events in light of today's developments.
Mr Walsh also announced that animals on out-farms on Cooley Peninsula in Co Louth are to be slaughtered in continuing efforts to prevent the further spread of the disease. The out-farms are associated with the farm where the confirmed case of the virus had occurred.
"It is important that we take every action necessary to get on top of this outbreak at the very outset," he said. "If further slaughtering of animals are necessary to pursue this objective, this course of action will be taken."
The slaughter of sheep within a one kilometre radius of the farm in Cooley, Co Louth where the outbreak was confirmed began this morning and was to be extended to a three kilometre area. This involves up to 40,000 animals.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said this evening: "Today’s announcement that we now have a confirmed case in Louth is gravely disappointing. It is now vital that we redouble our efforts to contain and then eliminate foot and mouth."
Earlier in the Dáil, Mr Ahern, said: "This is a major disappointment given the intensity of the efforts by all sectors of society to keep the disease out of Ireland."
He also announced the Fianna Fáil party ardfheis had been postponed on account of the outbreak.