Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts being undertaken at European level to put in place protection for citizens in the event of an outbreak of avian flu; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39190/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The EU has undertaken a substantial volume of work on both the avian and pandemic influenza threats. This work aims to improve the capacity of the Union and its member states to prevent, prepare for and respond to these threats, both within the EU and through support for third countries.

Steps have already been taken by the European Commission in implementing protective measures, including the suspension of imports on account of outbreaks of avian influenza in Croatia, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. Import bans on poultry and poultry products have been imposed on those countries in which the virus has been confirmed. The Commission has also taken decisions banning the import of captive birds and pet birds from countries outside the EU except where they comply with certain conditions, including a 30 day quarantine period. These decisions will remain in place until 31 January 2006.

The EU Commission has also adopted a series of biosecurity measures aimed at reducing the risk of transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza caused by the H5NI virus from wild birds to poultry and providing for an early detection system in areas of particular risk from avian influenza. Within the Council of Ministers, and as part of the EU wide co-ordination process, a special "Friends of the Presidency" group has been established at official level to focus on prevention, preparedness and pre-crisis action regarding avian influenza and the potential pandemic threat. This group provides a forum to improve co-ordination and the sharing of information between member states.

On 23-24 November, the Commission, member states, WHO, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, ECDC, and the pharmaceutical industry took part in a command post exercise on pandemic influenza. The exercise aimed to test communications, information exchange and co-ordination among member states, EU bodies and international organisations in a public health emergency. It also aimed to test the inter-operability of national pandemic preparedness plans. The results of the exercise are currently being evaluated.

At the 9 December Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs, ESPHCA, Council, Ministers had a detailed discussion on the human health aspects of pandemic influenza and the need to reinforce EU co-ordination in respect of pandemic planning.