Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

Táim an-bhuíoch as ucht an seans labhairt. I congratulate the Minister for Agriculture and Food, her Department and the Ministers of State on the vigilant approach they have taken in responding to the outbreak of avian influenza in Europe. I am pleased the Department has appropriate structures in place to deal with the veterinary dimension of the avian influenza threat and is in ongoing liaison with the Department of Health and Children.

The Department of Agriculture and Food has already put in place an early warning system, with the co-operation of the national parks and wildlife service, the National Association of Regional Game Councils and BirdWatch Ireland, through which unusual or increased patterns of wild bird mortality is reported. The Department has been engaged in a risk-based approach to the implementation of appropriate measures to minimise the risk of the introduction of avian influenza to Ireland. While endeavouring to reduce the risk of the introduction of the disease, much of the Department's efforts are focused on the early detection and speedy eradication of the disease.

A European Commission decision adopted in Brussels last Friday provides for the introduction of additional biosecurity measures and early detection systems. Each member state is required to implement the measures provided for on the basis of a risk assessment, taking full account of the criteria and risk factors set out in the annexes to the decision. Following the decision adopted on Friday last, officials of the Department of Agriculture and Food met the other stakeholders to review the provisions of the decision and the effective operation of the existing early warning system. A further key element in early detection is testing carried out under the annual avian influenza survey plan, as provided for by Commission Decision 2005/464/EC.

The testing of samples is undertaken by the central veterinary research laboratory in Abbotstown. A serological monitoring programme has been in place since 1995 as part of the poultry health programme which monitors commercial breeding poultry, that is, chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese, just before they come into lay and when they move sites. In addition, blood samples from clinically sick poultry are screened, as are commercial layer flocks before export. Some 20,000 samples are screened for all sub-types annually. A more extensive survey, including other categories of poultry and wild birds, has been carried out as part of an EU survey since 2002. It is expected that, as part of this year's survey, samples will again be taken from birds in wildlife sanctuaries of international interest as well as game clubs. During last year's survey, 350 samples were analysed and it is anticipated that this figure will be exceeded this year.

Surveillance is central to early detection and the outcome of the surveillance of wild birds should provide further valuable information for an early warning system of strains that may be introduced to poultry from wild birds. In addition to the early warning arrangements, the Department of Agriculture and Food has also updated and re-issued advice and information on biosecurity measures to be taken by poultry flock owners and measures which could be taken to minimise the risk of introducing the disease. The Department has also published details of the clinical symptoms of avian influenza to watch out for and has issued advice to those travelling to and from affected areas.

The Department continually reassesses the level of risk in light of any emerging information, taking account of the most up-to-date veterinary and scientific advice available. It will continue to operate a risk based approach and maintain a measured response to the risk. In the event of an outbreak of avian influenza, a range of measures will be put in place to ensure the early eradication of the disease, including the slaughtering of birds and declaration of a 3 km protection zone and a 10 km surveillance zone around the infected premises. Movements of poultry, poultry transport, carcasses, eggs and other articles likely to transmit the virus will be controlled by licence. The infected premises will be subject to cleaning and disinfecting under official supervision of the Department. On the basis of my discussions with officials from the Department, I am satisfied that all appropriate measures have been taken by the Minister to reduce risk. I am also convinced that she will introduce additional measures, as appropriate, to reduce any risk.

With regard to the provisions on intramammaries in the veterinary medicines legislation, I am aware from discussions with the Minister that she is fully cognisant of the devastation farmers would suffer if proposals issued by the European Union are adopted. I am quite confident the Minister is well aware of the needs of the producer. Through our committee work we met the pharmacists, the veterinary organisations and the farmers. I have not been shy in mentioning that the producer, that is the farmer, is the most important person in this debate.

Apart from Luxembourg, Ireland is the only member state of the EU 15 countries where intramammaries containing antibiotics are not subject to veterinary prescription. In the report issued in 1999 the IMB proposed that intramammaries be brought under veterinary prescription to take account of the generally accepted necessity to address concerns about the levels and growth of antibiotic resistance in the human population.

I am confident the Minister will address fully the needs of the farming community and that she will bring about a workable system within the EU directive that is before her. Certainly she is not short on knowledge from the backbenchers here, my colleagues, the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food, Deputy Johnny Brady, the Minister of State, Deputy Browne and the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Smith, who have also been in discussions with the Minister on this matter and on the parameters within the EU directive in which the flexibility can be given so that farmers may continue to dose their animals——

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