Cabinet briefed about threat of exotic animal diseases
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has briefed the Cabinet today (May 27) about the actions he is taking to protect Irish livestock from the threat of an exotic animal disease outbreak.
Minister Heydon believes that the risk to Ireland from exotic animal diseases is higher now than at any time in the modern era.
He said: "In the past, we have at times faced individual disease threats, but today our livestock are threatened by a number of very serious diseases close to our shores.
"I am focused on doing all we can to protect our animals, to protect the agri-food sector, and to deal with any outbreak effectively."
The minister outlined to the Cabinet the range of animal diseases of major concern, and the actions he is implementing in response.
He also briefed the Cabinet about the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth-disease (FMD) in Europe.
He said: "A FMD outbreak in Ireland would be devastating. This disease is a daily occurrence in many developing countries in Africa and Asia, and in 2025 we have seen three EU countries experience outbreaks, the first in many decades.
"Germany had a single outbreak in January, followed by multiple outbreaks in Hungary and Slovakia in March and April. Thankfully, it looks like these outbreaks may now be over, thanks to the effective actions taken to stop disease spread in those countries."
"It is clear that Ireland remains at risk, which is why I have emphasised to stakeholders and anyone returning from infected areas to practice strict biosecurity and to keep infection out," Minister Heydon added.
Minister Heydon called for the public to think about biosecurity, and the steps they must take to protect Irish agriculture.
The minister has asked people who have been travelling abroad in an area affected by FMD to avoid contact with cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs for 14 days after returning to Ireland.
He said: "That means no farm visits, including to open farms or agri-tourism farms. If you come into contact with farm animals while abroad, wash your clothes and disinfect your footwear before you return, or immediately upon arrival.
"Do not feed food waste to pigs or indeed any animals, as that can be a source of several animal diseases."
Minister Heydon also highlighted the threat of bluetongue, which has spread across Europe since 2023, and has now reached the north-western coast of England.
He explained that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is carrying out surveillance to detect any incursions as early as possible, and working with Met Éireann to see where infected midges from Great Britain or France may be blown by the wind into Ireland.
Finally, Minister Heydon told the Cabinet about the risk of avian influenza in Irish poultry.
Minister Heydon explained: "Over the past few months, we faced a very serious threat of an avian influenza outbreak in our poultry.
"My department detected the H5N1 virus in a number of wild birds across the country, while in Northern Ireland sadly there were three outbreaks in poultry farms in February.
"Strict biosecurity is the most effective way to protect a flock, and I want to particularly recognise and praise the actions of poultry farmers and the poultry industry in this regard."
"We are now out of the higher risk winter period for this disease, but we expect an ongoing level of risk even in the summer months. This is a disease which does not just threaten poultry; it also poses a very serious risk to human health,” the minister added.
