Sir, - The Irish Wildlife Trust is deeply concerned by the culling of feral goats and deer on the Cooley Peninsula as there is very little scientific evidence to support such a measure to control the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.
Repeatedly, research in the UK has shown that the incidence of transmission of the disease from wildlife populations to domestic herds is minimal. Although some wildlife species are susceptible to foot-and-mouth, there is no evidence of wildlife playing a role in disease maintenance or transmission. On the contrary, the disease appears to die out very quickly in the wild.
Wildlife culls are also practically impossible to carry out as there are several different species that could act as short-term mechanical carriers of the disease. Currently, it is goats and deer on the Cooley peninsula that are being culled, but in the days after the confirmed case, Mr Walsh suggested that rodents or birds may have carried the virus from Meigh, Co Armagh into Louth.
Hedgehogs and foxes may also spread the disease mechanically. In the coming days, will we witness the Army helicopter acting as a spotter of hedgehogs for Army sharpshooters to pick off? Clearly such a scenario is ludicrous! The disease will be contained by tracing all domestic animal contacts and preventing the movement of farm stock. In the longer term the whole area of intensive farming practices will have to be addressed. This cull should be stopped immediately and the resources diverted into more productive areas. - Yours, etc.,
Dr Rory P. O'Hanlon, Chairman, Irish Wildlife Trust, Lower Baggot St., Dublin 2.