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31 Mar 2025
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31 Mar 2025
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Kildare Minister calls for vigilance following reports of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Slovakia. FILE PHOTOGRAPH / PIXABAY
The Minister of Agriculture, who hails from County Kildare, has called for increased vigilance following reports of foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease outbreaks in Slovakia.
Fine Gael TD Martin Heydon made the comments following Slovakia's confirmation of three FMD outbreaks in cattle on Friday, March 21 last. All three outbreaks occurred within 20km of the recent outbreak in Hungary, which took place on March 6 last.
FMD is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals.
In his call for increased monitoring following the outbreak reports, Minister Heydon said in a statement that the news was "very concerning".
He elaborated: "I know this is a terrible blow to Slovak farmers and their agri-food industry.
"Given the highly contagious nature of the FMD virus I urge everyone in Ireland, particularly farmers, to continue to stay vigilant and to protect our Irish livestock."
Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD. File photograph
He further said: "Those travelling to Ireland from FMD affected countries should take every precaution not to bring the disease with them via contaminated meat, dairy and materials such as clothing, shoes and equipment.
"It is especially important that if you have visited farms, wildlife areas or zoos in FMD-affected countries, that you avoid all contact with livestock or wildlife for at least 14 days following arrival in Ireland," Minister Heydon concluded.
According to gov.ie, FMD can cause very significant economic losses. This is due to production losses in the affected animals and also the loss of access to foreign markets for animals, meat and milk for affected countries.
FMD does not infect humans and does not pose a food safety risk. Ireland is free of FMD, having had its last case in 2001.
The website added that Minister Heydon's Department is "taking action to protect Irish livestock following this outbreak".
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