Government bans all UK meat and dairy imports

Gardai are tonight patrolling the border after the Government imposed a complete ban on the import of animal and dairy products…

Gardai are tonight patrolling the border after the Government imposed a complete ban on the import of animal and dairy products from Britain and the North, as a result of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in England.


The ban, which has immediate effect, applies to all animal products including beef, pork, lamb, milk and milk products, hides, skins and live animals. It was anounced in the Dáil by Junior Minister at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Mr Noel Davern.

In addition, Department of Agriculture staff at District Veterinary Offices, meat plants and ports had been put on alert and recent imports are being traced with a view to ddetention.

Humans are rarely infected by handling a diseased animal and infection is generally temporary and mild. People do not become infected by eating meat from infected animals.

READ MORE

However in a statement issued this afternoon the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Mr Joe Walsh urged people travelling to Britain to exercise caution.

"They should avoid visiting farms, particularly in the infected areas, and they should not bring any meat, meat products, milk or milk products home with them.

"If persons are carrying products of this nature, or have visited farms in the UK, they should ensure that they contact an Officer of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development or customs immediately on arrival at any port or airport.

"This disease is extremely infectious and has serious implications for agricultural production," said Mr Walsh.

The disease is non-lethal in adult animals, although animals cease gaining weight and production in dairy cattle falls.