Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 1040: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the further measures which have been undertaken to protect the future of the poultry industry here in view of the spread of avian flu in Turkey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2142/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The protection of the Irish poultry industry is of critical importance in the face of a threat of an outbreak of avian flu. However, the recent events in Turkey, including the sad deaths of a number of people, do not alter the risk of the disease being introduced into Ireland. The evidence is that the virus was introduced into Turkey by migrating wild birds and the human cases appear to have come from direct contact with infected poultry.

While the Department of Agriculture and Food has introduced a range of measures particularly since last summer, aimed at minimising the risk of the introduction of avian flu into Ireland, we have not taken any specific additional measures in response to the most recent events in Turkey. However, when the initial outbreak was confirmed in Turkey last October, the European Commission extended the safeguard measures to Turkey, which involve a ban on the importation into the European Union of live poultry, most poultry products and untreated feathers.

The Department of Agriculture and Food is constantly reviewing its contingency arrangements with a view to minimising Ireland's exposure to avian flu and, based on a risk assessment, will introduce additional measures where this is considered appropriate. Such additional measures may, for example, require that all poultry be kept indoors if it is determined that there is a high risk of the introduction of highly pathogenic avian flu.

In addition, the Department of Agriculture and Food, has renewed an awareness campaign aimed at advising people travelling abroad, poultry flockowners, and employers of the measures they can take to help maintain Ireland's avian flu-free status. This campaign includes the placing of advice and information notices in the national newspapers, the use of travel advice posters in various languages at ports and airports and a detailed information booklet is being posted to every registered poultry flockowner in the country, containing information on the symptoms of the disease, biosecurity advice, advice for employers as well as advice on the cleaning and disinfection of poultry houses and vehicles. These measures, if followed properly, will all help to minimise the risk of introduction and spread of the disease and will play a key role in protecting the Irish poultry industry, should there be an outbreak.

The Department of Agriculture and Food is also working very closely with our colleagues in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland on all matters of mutual concern in relation to avian flu, including the presence of a significant and intensive poultry industry on either side of the Border.

I am satisfied that the wide range of measures taken and implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Food represents an appropriate response to the current level of risk. This is something which we keep under constant review and I will not hesitate to introduce such additional measures as may be considered appropriate from time to time.