Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy is correct that the synergies North and South have been beneficial and an all-island approach is the most appropriate way to go. I will meet my Northern Executive colleague in the next two or three weeks. Meanwhile, senior officials have been meeting on this matter in preparation for an all-island animal health approach, which is the best way forward.

There is a vaccine for type 1, but this is type 8. We are currently arranging the production of that vaccine, which has been raised at the European Council with Commissioner Kyprianou. It is hoped to provide a vaccine by spring of next year. We would then have to consider the issue of vaccination from a trade perspective but that is in the future.

As regards the export of live animals, there has been much consultation between the industry and the Department. At the moment, our competitors have exactly the same problem the Deputy mentioned in that they cannot come from eastern Europe to those markets. There has been no disturbance of trade so far, but we will keep in touch with the industry and vice versa to ensure that our exports continue.

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