The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) represents a further ramping up of DARD’s emergency actions for dealing with a local outbreak of epizootic disease. All 26 local councils have signed up to the agreement.
In launching the Memorandum the Minister said: “This agreement sets out the level of support that can be made available to DARD by the Councils during an outbreak of epizootic disease and provides a proper framework for co-operation by clarifying roles and responsibilities.
“Although the Councils had a major role in helping us bring the 2001 outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease under control, there was no formal agreement in place to inform roles and responsibilities. This therefore represents a significant step forward in our efforts to strengthen our contingency planning process.
“I am indebted to my officials and to those Local Authority officials represented here today for producing this MOU. It is an excellent example of what can be achieved through inter-agency co-operation and offers potential for similar arrangements with other agencies both North and South.”
Ian Patterson, Deputy Chair of the Local Government Emergency Management Group (LGEMG), said: “The MOU has been developed through regular meetings and dialogue with DARD’S contingency planners. An outbreak of animal disease such as Foot and Mouth affects not only the farming industry but also many other aspects of business life within our community. It is therefore in the interest of all agencies with the appropriate resource and capability to assist DARD in its efforts to control and eradicate such disease.”
Suzanne Wylie of Belfast City Council added: “While Belfast is an urban area, the port of Belfast is the largest in the Province and we are very conscious of the sterling work of DARD’s Portal staff in helping to keep disease out of our country. Belfast City Council also has a vested interest in keeping Belfast Zoo, one of the city’s main tourist attractions, free of animal disease. Our Council is therefore pleased to be associated with this MOU.”
Notes to Editors:
- This MOU is part of DARD’S ongoing contingency planning process for enhancing its preparedness for dealing with an outbreak of epizootic disease in Northern Ireland.
- Memoranda of Understanding have already been agreed with a number of Operational Partners and Other Government Departments and more are in the process of being finalised.
- The Minister was accompanied at the launch by Brendan McCartan, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer (Acting), and Dr Perpetua McNamee, Director of the Veterinary Service’s Contingency Planning Unit.
- The Councils were represented by Suzanne Wylie, and Davy Neill (Belfast), Ian Patterson and Alastair Morgan (Deputy Chair and Secretary respectively of the Local Government Emergency Management Group (LGEMG) along with Barny Heywood and Sam Knox, also LGEMG members.
- All media enquiries to the DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
