Francis O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate Senator Feeney on her role as Acting Chairman. I welcome the Minister of State to the House and support the measures taken by the EU Commission and member states to address the threat posed by avian influenza. I agree with the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, who underlined the importance Ireland attaches to effectively addressing avian influenza from the public health and veterinary standpoints. The EU is correct to prioritise this issue but while continuing a vigilant approach we must ensure steps taken are appropriate to the level of risk.

Avian influenza is a disease of birds and while people can become infected, they rarely do. There is no evidence the virus can be transmitted from poultry to humans other than direct contact with infected birds. Resources must be focused on early detection and speedy eradication to minimise any risk to public health. The measures put in place are designed to ensure any suspect outbreaks are investigated quickly and evidence of the virus confirmed or denied. I am pleased the Department has ensured appropriate technical and veterinary staff are properly equipped to deal with confirmed or suspected outbreaks. We have examined all aspects of destruction of infected flocks and subsequent disposal of carcasses.

I congratulate the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, on the steps taken to ban the importation of beef from those areas of Brazil where cases of foot and mouth disease have recently been confirmed. That action was necessary to ensure that the national herd and the livelihood of farmers involved in livestock farming were not exposed to the risk presented by imports from affected areas of Brazil for as long as the foot and mouth disease problem exists. This country has experienced foot and mouth disease and we do not want to experience it again, nor do we want to experience the effects of avian influenza. I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, the Ministers of State, Deputies John Browne and Brendan Smith, and the Department on the measures they have taken to date to ensure this country is free of both foot and mouth disease and avian influenza.