Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 351: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will reply to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17602/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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There has been no report of fireblight this year. The Department's annual survey for Fireblight (Erwinia amylovora) commences in early June each year and runs until mid-October, as this is the optimum period for observing Fireblight symptoms in Ireland. During this period it is proposed to send approximately 1,600 samples for laboratory analysis.

Last year's annual survey returned 21 positive findings from over 1,500 samples taken in 14 locations, namely in counties, Galway, Dublin, Cork, Mayo, Limerick, Wicklow and Donegal. Our annual survey results for the past two years for this harmful bacterium were discussed in spring 2010 at the EU Standing Committee on Plant Health in Brussels. The Committee expressed satisfaction with Ireland's handling of this disease and unanimously agreed to continue our protected zone status for this harmful organism for another 2 years.