Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 469: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the process to be followed by the public in line with the UN health strategy where cases of avian flu are suspected; if a slaughter policy is in place for possible outbreaks; the details of this policy; if a compensation scheme has been agreed for possible slaughtering of fowl in suspected cases of avian flu; her policy in relation to disposing of carcasses in suspected avian flu cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20668/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My responsibility and that of my Department is in relation to animal health and, as regards avian influenza, our focus is on minimising the threat of introducing the virus into Ireland and ensuring that we are adequately prepared to deal effectively with any case/outbreak that might arise here. My colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children and the HSE are responsible for public health aspects relating to this virus.

If there is an outbreak of avian influenza, all poultry on the infected holding would be killed on site so as to minimise the risk of the spread of the disease. There is legislative provision also for the slaughter of poultry which (i) are infected or suspected of being infected with avian influenza; (ii) have been in contact with infected/suspected infected birds; (iii) appear to have in any way been exposed to the infection; or (iv) are within an area which has been defined as an area where a risk of infection exists. This provides for the possibility of preventive slaughter of poultry on contiguous holdings or epidemiologically linked holdings, on the basis that there is reason to suspect contamination.

Compensation in respect of poultry that may be slaughtered and for carcases or eggs that may be destroyed would be payable by reference to market values. However there is also provision that failure by the applicant to take reasonable precautions to protect against the disease, may result in appropriate deductions being made from the compensation amount payable otherwise.

All carcases and other products would be treated as Category 2 waste as would all contaminated substances (e.g. feed, litter, manure). Meat produced from birds during the presumed incubation period would also be traced and treated in the same way as would hatching eggs and table eggs produced during the presumed incubation period. The Department's preferred method of destruction is to initially render such material but other options exist including burial, composting, and alkaline treatments as appropriate.