Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

The Minister will be aware that the financial loss will not just be limited to those farmers who have unfortunately had their flocks culled. As these outbreaks are confirmed to be highly pathogenic avian influenza, there are restrictions on poultry, poultry products and eggs from within the 3 km restriction zone and 10 km surveillance zone in respect of both the EU and UK markets. A total of 94% of our poultry exports by value - around €280 million - are to the EU and UK markets. Will the Minister make provision for compensation to be payable to farmers who lose access to their export markets in this current outbreak? The currently held advice is that consuming poultry or eggs from an infected animal once cooked does not pose a risk to public health. That said, consumers may now be reluctant to buy poultry products, given what has been said in the media.

Has the Minister considered that there may be a decline in the number of consumers buying poultry or a fall in the numbers of Christmas turkeys ordered this year? Will the Minister consider a compensation scheme for those farmers who are impacted by this?

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