Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she plans to introduce measures to address the problems in farming resulting from climate change such as bluetongue disease, higher crop and tree diseases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27086/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The effects of climate change are anticipated over a long period and are not expected to have a significant impact on Irish agriculture in the shorter term. Arrangements for dealing with animal diseases continue to be kept under review and the contingency arrangements and the legislative basis for dealing with possible outbreaks of exotic disease are updated where required. For the most part, EU legislation provides the framework for dealing with such diseases.

Close monitoring for possible new crop and forest pests resulting from climate change is carried out by plant health control officers. The existing EU phytosanitary regime which covers all of Europe provides an adequate framework for dealing with potential threats.