Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

It is important that a Department takes the lead on this issue. The Department of Agriculture and Food will deal specifically with the issue in question. Without a shadow of a doubt, constructive and significant contributions from other Departments and agencies are welcome. The Department is always ready to reassess the adequacy of our biosecurity measures. Our biosecurity arrangements will be revised if new information becomes available, which we are afforded through EU channels and early warning systems. In one way we have the luxury of having a European-wide opportunity, from the veterinary point of view, to listen, learn and evaluate what comes from the European Community and experts. I am hoping to have emerging information on which to act.

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