Going over the top?

Politicians and the media here have been getting mileage out of crowing about Ireland's restrictions being much more effective than Britain's at curbing the spread of foot-and-mouth. This week it looks like British Tory politicians are joining in, arguing that the disease there is "out of control".

But are they right? On the face of it, the numbers are clear - UK: approaching 200 cases; Republic of Ireland: zero.

However, one of Ireland's leading experts in this area told The Irish Times last week to look beyond those statistics. Authorities have to draw the line somewhere, he said: Britain, by concentrating on restricting animal movement and farm activity, was drawing it in the right place and would eventually control the epidemic; Ireland, by cancelling public events and telling people to stay put, was going right over the top.

Ironically, the Irish scientist made these comments "off the record" - because of the likely negative reaction from politicians and the media.