Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I beg the Chair's indulgence in replying to this question, if that is agreeable to the Deputies opposite, as there may be some important points to be made.

My Department's contingency arrangements to minimise the possible introduction of the bluetongue virus into the country are based on the existing EU legislation and an ongoing assessment of the risk to Ireland. Following confirmation of the detection of the virus in Northern Ireland in the past week, I have asked my officials to further assess the risk and, based on that assessment, I will introduce any such additional control measures that are considered appropriate.

In the meantime, I have taken the decision to trace and test for bluetongue any live cattle and sheep imported from Northern Ireland since 11 January 2008, other than those imported directly for slaughter. Furthermore, live animals imported for breeding or production from Northern Ireland will now be included in the routine post-importation testing programme, which is being applied to live imports from the Continent and Britain. My Department is also tracing all live animals imported from the Continent and the Britain since 1 November 2007 and all will be retested for bluetongue. I am satisfied, based on the Department's current assessment of the risk to Ireland, that this represents an appropriate and proportionate response to the recent developments in Northern Ireland, having regard to the legislative framework within which we must operate.

In terms of the Department's overall contingency arrangements, we have produced a comprehensive bluetongue contingency plan for Ireland. Information and advice leaflets on the disease were sent to every farmer in the country as well as specifically tailored advisory material as to all members of the veterinary profession. The Department also hosted an industry seminar on bluetongue with international speakers. In addition, the Department has a dedicated bluetongue website which is updated as appropriate and contains comprehensive information and advice on the disease, including full details of the clinical signs together with photographs. The Department's contingency arrangements are kept under constant review and revised as appropriate by reference to the developing disease situation or in the light of legal or other developments, particularly at EU level. In addition, we are also refining arrangements for delivery of a programme in the event that it becomes necessary to vaccinate here.

In this regard also, the Department has been working and continues to work very closely with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, DARD, in Northern Ireland in the development of an all-island approach and I have discussed the situation, both in Britain and in Northern Ireland, on a number of occasions with the Minister, Michelle Gildernew.

In terms of minimising the risk of the disease being introduced, up to 1 November 2007, the importation of susceptible animals from bluetongue restricted areas in Europe was banned. However, since then a Commission regulation allows for the possibility of movement of susceptible animals from bluetongue restricted areas under defined conditions within that regulation. Since the lifting of all remaining FMD-related measures, live imports are now allowed from Great Britain. Any such animals imported since the controls were modified will have been tested for bluetongue and will now be retested.

Ireland opposed and voted against the adoption of the regulation at the relevant EU meeting and we raised the matter subsequently with the Commission in writing. The cases in Northern Ireland reinforce my view that aspects of the trade rules currently applying should be amended and I will continue to seek appropriate amendments. I have instructed my chief veterinary officer, CVO, who is attending a CVO meeting in Brussels, to pursue this matter vigorously with the Commission and I will review the position following the outcome of that meeting tomorrow. In the meantime, I reiterate my Department's advice to those who may be considering importing animals to carefully assess the risks involved and, in particular, to avoid importing pregnant animals from bluetongue restricted areas for the present as this represents the biggest risk of the introduction of this disease. All live animals being imported from Europe, including Great Britain are subject to mandatory post-import testing for bluetongue and to date in excess of 1,700 tests have been carried out, all of which have been found negative.

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