Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 559: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to introduce Department of Agriculture dog teams to help police ports and airports to prevent the importation of diseases that could damage our agriculture industry in a manner similar to the 25 teams of dogs that are available in Auckland to preserve the integrity of the New Zealand agriculture sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34543/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is examining the position with regard to extending controls it already operates to implement the EU's ban on the personal import of meat and meat products, milk and milk products and on live birds by travellers from outside of the EU. My Department conducted an ad hoc trial involving the deployment of a sniffer dog resource in conjunction with a UK professional dog handler company and the co-operation of Customs dog handler personnel at Dublin Airport. The experience gained in this trial is now being reviewed in the Department with a view to deciding whether the deployment of sniffer dogs is justified.