Stringent controls in the foot-and-mouth crisis will remain in place on farms, meat plants, ports and airports despite the relaxation by the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, of controls on a wide range of cultural and sporting events.
The Minister made the announcement yesterday after receiving a report by an expert group chaired by Prof Michael Monaghan of UCD, which categorised the risks of spreading the disease associated with holding different types of events.
The Monaghan report classified events into three categories. "Category one" was defined as gatherings of people in defined locations with no access to agricultural land or susceptible livestock or car-parks accessible to susceptible livestock.
It said that provided routine disinfection procedures were adhered to, such events carried a minimal risk of virus spread, and should be allowed to proceed. The organisers should provide disinfecting facilities.
Prof Monaghan said typical examples of category-one events would include indoor meetings, conferences, cinema/theatre, weddings, indoor sporting events.
"Category two" relates to outdoor events on land involving people only and they would be allowed if susceptible animals had not accessed this land since February 1st and proper disinfecting and other facilities were in place.
Organisers of such events likely to attract persons in highrisk categories should ensure they followed the guidelines covering groups such as farmers, vets, hauliers, AI operators and those in the agribusiness sector, Prof Monaghan advised. He said that typical examples of category-two events would include sporting events such as Gaelic football, hurling, rugby, soccer and golf.
Category-three events are those involving animals. Prof Monaghan recommends that restrictions on events involving animals should continue to apply. He said typical examples of category-three events would include horse racing, showjumping, greyhound racing and livestock shows.
The only exceptions to this rule were events exclusively involving domestic pets which did not have access to farmland or susceptible species. These events could proceed in areas with no access to agricultural land.
On recreational activities involving individuals, the report said that there should be no access to agricultural land to which susceptible animals might have had access.
However, public areas/parks to which susceptible species did not have access might now be opened to the public, while existing legal controls in controlled areas should continue to apply. Mr Walsh said that category-one events could now recommence in line with the guidelines set out by the expert group, and anyone seeking information should contact the Department's helpline.
Category-two events could recommence on a phased basis from March 23rd, and a further announcement would be made in relation to category three but this would depend on the general foot-and-mouth situation.
Mr Walsh said the expert group would keep the situation under review on a weekly basis.
The Department of Agriculture helpline is at: 1890 607 608.