Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the preventative measures she is considering to avert the spread of the bluetongue virus here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7072/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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On that last point, are there any proposals in the event of the risk levels increasing? Will quarantine measures be put in place, specifically if the importation of animals from risk areas is permitted? I assume the Minister means the UK, that is Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as regards post-FMD imports.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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That is correct.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Is she confident as regards the control measures in place between her Department and DARD?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I have had two discussions today with the Minister. We had an all-Ireland approach on foot and mouth disease. That included Great Britain and Ireland, including Northern Ireland. All animals being brought in will have a post-import test. If they are coming for slaughter, they do not need a test. I have expressed a view to the effect that the present regulatory rules are inappropriate and the CVO, on my behalf, will raise that issue tomorrow. I am happy with the work that is taking place involving Minister Gildernew and me and our respective departmental services. However, I reiterate that in the advent of any change I shall not hesitate to introduce further measures, as appropriate.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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If I understand the Minister correctly, there was retrospective testing since November 2007, but subsequently the Commission regulation allowed for importation from previously susceptible areas. To my mind, notwithstanding the level of co-operation with the Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, that implies the risk still exists — and if testing is occurring post-import, the disease might be detected. Is the Minister satisfied that every beast will be tested on importation to offset the risk and take into account the fact that the Commission regulation — notwithstanding Ireland's position — has gone against us?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is susceptible animals as opposed to susceptible areas. The status of Northern Ireland is different since the disease is not there. Therefore the rules are different. If animals are being imported for breeding purposes a post-import test will be carried out and I am happy that the relevant provisions will be adhered to. All animals for export have to have a veterinary certificate. We will be including on that a post-import test to ensure the disease is not present.

Almost all Deputies have asked for a voluntary derogation on the importation of animals from those countries where the disease is present at the moment and I do not take issue with that. Equally, I agree with the Deputy as regards his concerns on the appropriateness of the regulation. That is why we vote against this and still have concerns in the matter, which we shall be raising again tomorrow.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In that context, is it worth establishing a national biosecurity committee? If the Minister is unhappy with the regulations, and particularly as regards breeding animals, I urge the her to consider quarantine measures in areas where the disease is present.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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We have a disease control group in the Department which meets instantaneously if there are any changes. We shall be taking into consideration any measures that are necessary, based on the risks as they arise. At this moment the risk has not changed. We changed our view a number of days ago, and that is why I introduced the post-import certificate. In the advent of any changes arising, I shall not hesitate to take into consideration other measures that are needed.