The results of the final tests for foot-and-mouth disease from the Keenan farm on the Cooley peninsula in Co Louth are due later today. The first two tests on the animal, carried out in the Pirbright Laboratory in England, were negative.
There was a negative result on tissue from the animal on Friday and blood test results received yesterday also showed up negative, the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, said. He told the daily press briefing that tests from cows taken in Kilkenny and Waterford were also negative, as were all results from the Slaney Meats Factory in north Co Wexford.
Mr Walsh said the cull of all sheep on the Cooley peninsula continued yesterday with an additional 5,000 slaughtered - bringing the total there to date to 27,936. In addition, 600 cattle, 204 goats, 15 deer and 55 pigs had been destroyed there in an attempt to control the only outbreak in the Republic.
That decision had been taken on Saturday following evaluation of all the tests to date from the original outbreak, including the discovery of a sheep on an outfarm belonging to the Rice family where antibodies were discovered, indicating it had been exposed at some point to the foot-and-mouth virus although it had not contracted the disease.
The compulsory cull of all sheep in the Cooley peninsula and cattle from contiguous farms around the holding, Mr Walsh said, was "prudent and necessary, and in the interests of the region and the country as a whole". He expected a further 5,000 animals would be killed today with another 5,000 tomorrow, bringing the cull to its conclusion.
No further animals had been slaughtered outside the Co Louth zone in tracing operations. A total of 512 farms were still under restriction throughout the State but restrictions had been lifted in the past month on a further 407 herds.
Despite the good news on the tests so far, Mr Walsh said the situation relating to foot-and-mouth "remained critical", and it should not be attempted to play down the dangers as it would not be until April 19th - 30 days after the Proleek outbreak - "before we will be out of the woods".
"Any further outbreak outside Co Louth would be devastating, not just for farming or for agriculture, but for other sectors of the economy as well," he said.
On the possibility of racing being held at Fairyhouse, Co Meath, on April 19th, Mr Walsh said he was awaiting a recommendation from the expert group which advises on the risk associated with particular events. It was discussing the conditions under which racing could be resumed generally, he confirmed. "I have made it clear that as far as Fairyhouse is concerned, I did not think that the time was yet appropriate for racing to go ahead but it is a matter for the Fairyhouse board." He said the expert group under Prof Michael Monaghan had also discussed Aintree on Friday and decided permits would be issued for any horse going to the meeting on the basis that the horse or the vehicle in which it was transported did not return to Ireland.
"My strong recommendation is that punters or the general public should not travel to Aintree," he said.
On tourism losses, Mr Walsh, said the committee had made recommendations which had led to an easing of restrictions. Visitor centres were being reopened and if there were no more cases of the disease, the committee would continue to evaluate the problems facing the industry.
Any further outbreaks would cause "terrible damage" not only to farming but to tourism and many other industries as well, and for now people should all try to be patient and vigilant.
Up-to-the-minute news of the foot-and-mouth crisis is available on the Irish Times website ireland.com at www.ireland .com/ special/foot-and-mouth
This special site carries advice, analysis, weblinks and a list of cancelled or postponed events.