Written answers

Thursday, 30 June 2005

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Fisheries Protection

8:00 pm

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources further to the recent confirmation from a laboratory in France of the discovery of bonania ostria in live oysters in Lough Foyle, the action he will take to allay the fears of the fishermen in Lough Swilly to prevent this outbreak spreading to Lough Swilly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23691/05]

Photo of Pat GallagherPat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the requirements of EU regulations, measures are in place that provide for the control of movements of oysters and other shellfish from bays around the coast. Immediately on the Department's receipt of notification from its scientific advisers, the Marine Institute, of a possible positive test for bonamia in Lough Foyle, applications made to the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to move oysters and other shellfish originating in Lough Foyle for growing in areas free of bonamia would be refused as a precautionary measure. The ban on such movements is still in force and will remain so. Officials of this Department are working closely with their counterparts in Northern Ireland, the Marine Institute and the Loughs Agency to arrange for sound practical measures to be put in place for shellfish operators to follow in Lough Foyle. In addition, the Marine Institute will work with this Department, the Northern Ireland authorities, the Loughs Agency and operators in Lough Foyle to carry out an epidemiological study, as required by EU regulations, into the possible causes of the outbreak.

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