AQW 1046/22-27
Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim
Tabled Date: 07/06/2022
Answered On Date: 24/06/2022
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, in light of the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Southeast Asia, what measures are in place (i) to reduce the risk of the virus entering Northern Ireland; and (ii) to prevent its introduction to livestock.
Answer:
My officials actively monitor animal disease patterns and incidents reported across the world and is aware of the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in South-East Asia, with Indonesia reporting its first outbreak since 1983. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has also confirmed outbreaks in Java and Sumatra and there are media reports of outbreaks in Borneo. However, the risk of incursion into the UK is still assessed as Low. FMD has the potential to cause serious animal health and economic consequences. Maintaining freedom from the disease is of paramount importance in protecting animal health and welfare, supporting the economy and underpinning international trade of live animals and products of animal origin. Therefore, my Department has robust disease surveillance programmes in place to help prevent incursion of the major exotic diseases such as FMD into Northern Ireland (NI) which includes targeted/passive surveillance and portal checks on animals arriving into NI. These checks have helped detect diseased animals on arrival enabling prompt action to prevent spread into NI. Risk based controls, including the use of sniffer dogs, are also carried out at NI ports and airports on personal imports of food being brought in from countries or regions where epizootic disease is confirmed or there is a heightened risk. Detailed contingency plans for handling outbreaks of epizootic disease are published on the DAERA website. The aim is to prepare a comprehensive response encompassing all aspects of resource and planning necessary for the prevention, detection, control, eradication and recovery from an epizootic disease incursion. The contingency plans are exercised regularly and staff are trained for their specific emergency roles. My Department also has legislative powers to take action to help prevent the incursion of epizootic diseases such as FMD. This includes secondary legislation, The Foot and Mouth Disease Regulations (NI) 2006, which provides further powers in respect of this specific disease. This legislation also allows for swift action to protect disease free status and prevent incursion. It requires suspect cases to be reported to my Department and allows for movement and trade controls to be applied where disease is suspected or confirmed. In most cases, the legislation also provides for the culling of animals for disease control purposes. In parallel to statutory controls, my officials provide biosecurity advice and guidance to farmers through a range of communication channels to help prevent incursion into livestock and raise awareness of the risks. Furthermore, the risk of incursion to NI is regularly assessed through veterinary risk assessments.
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