A number of farms across Cavan and Monaghan are understood to be impacted by the recent Salmonella outbreak. The Department of Agriculture is investigating a Salmonella outbreak on eight of the country's poultry farms.
The flocks have been restricted and are under departmental controls. The Department is working with Food Safety Authority Ireland (FSAI) and the National Reference Laboratory for Salmonella, to investigate the issue.
Fine Gael TD Michael Ring is a member of the Oireachtas agriculture committee - he says control checks are crucial. "It's good that we have the Food Authority Ireland (FAI) and the Department of Agriculture checking on a regular basis.
"This proves one thing; we hear people talking about culling cattle, sheep and stock in this country but it's very important that we have our own food in our own country, and that we keep our own checks. That means we know what is being produced in the country and if there is a problem we know that it is being dealt with," he added.
Meanwhile, IFA Poultry Chairman Nigel Sweetnam, said the cases of salmonella in a small number of farms is "devastating" for the flock owners concerned. He highlighted how the affected flocks are restricted and there is no threat to human health.
According to the IFA Poultry Chairman and the authorities, including the Department of Agriculture and Food Safety Authority Ireland, are working to deal with the situation as quickly and effectively as possible.
In the meantime, Mr Sweetnam is encouraging everybody to review their biosecurity measures and to be "extra vigilant."
