PRESS RELEASE

Farmers must protect our national industry

The farming community has been urged by Deputy Billy Kelleher to co-operate with the Department of Agriculture in ensuring that all suspicious cattle movements are reported. "We are looking down the barrel of a gun on the issue of foot and mouth and every citizen has a duty to protect our national industry." "I would urge everyone in the farming community in particular to take detailed description of trucks involved in suspicious activities and report them as a matter of urgency, anonymously if necessary, to the Department of Agriculture. Full co-operation will result in full safety." "I would also be concerned that cattle dealers who travel the length and breadth of the country in particular would comply with all disinfection measures. I would also urge that any dubious activities by cattle dealers in particular who would be a high risk carrier group would be reported to the Department of Agriculture." "I believe that anyone who contravenes the safety needs of our agriculture and agri-business should face the full rigours of the law. I will also be writing to the Minister for Agriculture to suggest that should any farmer who is knowingly involved in taking infected animals onto his land at this time of national concern should lose their herd number and receive no future subsidies, headage or other payments," said Deputy Kelleher.