Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 866: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the plan and criteria for cross-Border co-operation between shellfish producers operating on both sides of the Border; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1882/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There are a considerable number of cross-Border cooperation arrangements between shellfish producers on the island of Ireland. The CLAMS Process (Coordinated Local Management Scheme) is a nationwide initiative and is also in operation in Northern Ireland to manage the development of aquaculture in bays and inshore waters at a local level. It allows for the integration of aquaculture into the coastal zone, whilst recognising the need to improve environmental compliance, product quality and consumer confidence. There are now 18 CLAMS groups established around the coast of Ireland. This process is jointly operated under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture and Rural development and the Loughs Agency. The ECOPACT Initiative is an all island environmental management system (EMS) initiative which caters for the specialist needs of the Irish aquaculture industry and in particular, the shellfish producers. The Irish Quality Mussel and Irish Quality Oyster Schemes are a suite of third-party accredited product quality assurance schemes open to all farmed shellfish producers on the island of Ireland. They are accredited to the EN45011 Standard and are policed by an independent third-party certification body.

The Loughs Agency has responsibility for aquaculture development in Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough. This is a cross-Border body as provided for in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and established by the North/South Ministerial Council. By the end of 2008 it will have responsibility for licensing aquaculture production on a cross border basis in both Loughs. This will include shellfish production. The Aquaculture Initiative (EEIG) is a specialist cross-Border aquaculture development and facilitation body, jointly managed by Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, an Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Northern Ireland Seafoods. The Aquaculture Initiative deals with shellfish producers on both sides of the Border covering a remit area of the 6 counties of Northern Ireland and the 6 adjoining counties of the Republic of Ireland. The management of mussel seed uptake is managed under joint arrangements involving my Department, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Loughs Agency.

A review of the current arrangements has recently been undertaken and I am currently examining this report. There is a cross-Border oyster marketing company called Irish North Coast Oyster Company Ltd. (INCO) which was established with assistance from Co-operation Ireland with a view to encouraging collective marketing and sales of oysters farmed by producers both sides of the Border. All of the above initiatives and actions are operated on the basis of assisting shellfish producers on both sides of the Border.