The Expert Verdict:
Are the Irish authorities applying the right strategy on foot-and-mouth?
Dr Patrick Wall, chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Irelands and leading authority on communicable diseases.
The approach of our Minister of Agriculture to unite the entire country in a national response to this threat was correct. Everyone was kept on board from the outset and the newspapers, radio and TV have kept the nation fully informed of developments and requirements.
Prof PJ Quinn, professor of veterinary microbiology parasitology at UCD's faculty of veterinary medicine.
Broadly, yes, but not in terms of limiting all movement of animals. It requires very close surveilance3. That effort would be worthwhile because illegal movement is a very significant part of our control problem. I believe that the majority of farmers have supported the restrictions.
Mr John Power, Chief executive of Irish Hotel Federation,. Which has highlighted the effects on tourism.
Yes, the whole country had to be mobilised at an early stage. But now the government needs to mobilise people to return to as much normality as possible. The government should now run similar sized ads encouraging people to enjoy low risk activities.
Mr Pat Smith, Director of Irish Farmer's Association, the largest farmer organisation in the State.
If you compare it to the British authorities, they've taken swift and decisive action and are doing a great job. The absolute support from all sectors outside agriculture has been fantastic. We don't want to see any other sector affected more than needs be.
What lessons should we learn from the continuing rapid spread of the virus in Britain?Dr Patrick Wall: It has highlighted the risks posed by the legal and illegal global distribution of animal and human foodstuffs. If we are to have global distribution, then this trade must be rigorously policed by the veterinary and public health inspectorates. It highlights the need for effective animal health surveillance. Moving livestock long distances presents the opportunity to distribute diseases, increase infection risk and to make traceability difficult.
Prof P J Quinn: we need to identify animals properly. Ear tags are the first step but we need to look at chip implantation, under the skin, with a view to electronic scanning so that you can trace an animal from Louth to Roscommon to Wicklow. We need to have constant veterinary surveillance in the meat plants. They use a lot of lay inspectors in Britain. They may not properly recognise certain animal symptoms such as lesions.
Mr John Power: We have learned the absolute necessity of having control over food imports. It also teaches us the importance of strict control on animal movemen5ts and traceability. It shows the need for farmers, vets and marts to be permanently vigilant. Some precautions, such as spraying at ports, will have to become permanent measures.
Mr Pat Smith: It's time for a rethink on the free movement of stock and food. When you order a meal in a restaurant, the food is as likely to come from Thailand or Brazil as Ireland. What sort of controls and traceability exist in these countries? We are awash with riles and regulations so it grieves the farming community to see local restaurants buying produce from half-way around the world, without knowing if it is safe and traceable.