Code of practice for tourist anglers and anglers on farmland.
This Code of Practice offers general guidelines to on how to enjoy and work in the countryside without endangering the Health Status of the Country’s livestock.
Importing Maggots or Worms?
- To minimise the risk of accidental transmission of FMD and other infectious diseases, visitors are advised to use local sources in Ireland.
- If you must bring worms or maggots ensure they are not packed in soil or vegetable material, the importation of which is strictly prohibited by law.
Anyone engaged in hill walking, hiking, angling, hunting, maintenance work on farms, deliveries to farms, infrastructural work involving access to farmland, etc., should be aware of and be guided by the measures outlined below.
It should be adhered to by individuals, groups or organisations whose leisure or work activities bring them onto or near farms and farmland.
Visitors to farm and farmland can be responsible for introducing or spreading disease.
The risk of this happening varies depending on the circumstances.
Low Risk: Someone from an urban area making a one off visit to a farm and then returning to an urban area.
High Risk: Someone visiting 10 farms on one day should take precautions to minimise that risk. Many anglers are "high risk".
Hygiene precautions: should be observed when visiting farms for any purpose. The risk associated with farm visits is lessened if direct or close contact with animals is not involved. However some risk is always involved and precautions should be taken, especially where more than one farm is visited on any one day.
The general guidelines below should be followed:
1. Make an appointment with the farmer in advance if visiting a farm for any purpose
2. Clean Vehicles and equipment should only go on to farms. Organic material on dirty vehicles and equipment can be responsible for carrying disease. People travelling from farm to farm should be particularly vigilant in this regard.
3. Avoid taking a vehicle on to the farm where travelling from farm to farm. Where feasible the vehicle should be left on the public road and parked in a safe position so as not to endanger other road users.
4. Wear protective clothing if you are visiting more than one farm and if your visit is likely to involve the possibility of some faecal or other contamination of your clothing then you should wear protective clothing. Two options are available:
(i) Disposable protective clothing i.e. a disposable boiler suit and disposable overshoes. A new set should be worn on each farm visited.
(ii) Waterproof protective clothing i.e. waterproof outer coat, waterproof pull-ups, and rubber boots. Disposable gloves may also be required for some activities.
If you consider that your farm visits are not likely to lead to organic/faecal contamination of your clothing it may not be necessary to wear protective clothing. However in most cases it is likely that footwear will be contaminated, so disposable over-shoes or rubber boots, which can be easily cleaned and disinfected, should be worn when entering farmland or farm premises.
5. Avoid direct contact with animals and animal holding facilities unless necessary as part of your visit.
6. Clean and disinfect any equipment used during the course of the visit, which may have become contaminated.
7. Hands should be washed thoroughly (with hot water where available) before leaving the farm. This should be done even if gloves have been worn.
8. Dogs should be kept under effective control when on farms or in the countryside.
9. Obey the Instructions of the event organisers if attending sporting or other events on land. Stay within the boundaries marked out for the event.
10 Do not discard waste food, picnic leftovers etc. in the countryside. They can be responsible for spreading disease.
11. Remember to close gates after you to prevent animals straying.
Anyone requiring more detailed advice on any matter should contact their nearest DAFRD / DARDNI office.
