Foot-and-mouth disease eradication strategies in Ireland : a cost comparison

Abstract

FMD is a highly contagious livestock disease with significant repercussions for livestock producers particularly in terms of productivity and trade effects, with many other sectors also being negatively affected by the measures which must be taken to control an outbreak. The disease has the ability to spread rapidly and survive under a variety of conditions and its control and eradication is hindered by the many ways in which it can be spread. Following the 2001 outbreak in various EU Member States, there was severe criticism throughout Europe of the culling policy used to contain the virus in the Member States affected and attention has turned towards the strategic use of emergency vaccination in the event of future outbreaks. This thesis examines the potential use of emergency vaccination in an Irish context, as an adjunct to the basic slaughter policy, and explores the cost-effectiveness of the alternative control strategies of stamping out (SO) alone and stamping -out in conjunction with e emergency vaccination (SOEV). In the current climate of moving towards greater agricultural trade liberalisation, leading to the increasing movement of animals, future outbreaks are not just likely but inevitable; therefore it is vital that the hazards and control of another epidemic be confronted. Economic damage was minimised during the 2001 outbreak in Ireland due to the speed and effectiveness of the control strategy put in place; the economic costs of a potential future outbreak could well prove more damaging. Numerous legislative changes were undertaken on the European Union level after 2001 and the FMD Directive 2003/85/EC introduced. Each Member State is now required to prepare a cost-beneflt analysis of alternative control strategies.