Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 98: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the selection criteria used by her Department in deciding the premises that would be subject to restrictions on the movement of horses, in the aftermath of the current outbreak of equine infectious anaemia; and if she will make a statement on the progress of the investigation into what precipitated the outbreak. [9083/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

From the time that the first case of Equine Infectious Anaemia was confirmed last June, my Department's approach to the containment, management and eradication of the disease has consistently been based on risk. All decisions, whether related to the restriction of premises, restriction of individual horses or the surveillance of certain equine populations, were aimed at containing and eradicating the disease as quickly and as efficiently as possible. The periods for which restrictions applied and the surveillance regime to which horses were subjected during their period of restriction was also risk-based.

It is now 87 days since the most recent case of EIA was confirmed and, assuming no further developments, the remaining few restrictions should be lifted very shortly, subject to all outstanding tests being negative for the virus. I am satisfied that the disease control measures put in place by my Department were central to the manner in which this outbreak has been contained and such good progress made towards its eradication. In all situations of this nature, my Department has a responsibility to take such actions as are appropriate to contain and eradicate disease while, at the same time, minimising the disruption and inconvenience that such measures can cause.

The Department's investigation into the introduction of the virus is a thorough and comprehensive one and is continuing. Because of the nature of and stage at which the investigation is, it would be imprudent of me to comment further, other than to say that my Department remains determined to bring the investigation to a satisfactory conclusion.