Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the contingency plans that have been and are in place for the outbreak of brown rot in potatoes here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5896/08]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her attention has been drawn to the three potato growers in County Wexford whose crop has been locked up because of being contaminated with brown rot. [5897/08]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the financial aid package in place for three potato growers in County Wexford whose crop has been contaminated with brown rot in potatoes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5898/08]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when potato growers whose crop has been contaminated with brown rot in potatoes will receive financial aid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5899/08]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she and her officials will meet the potato farmers and grocers whose crop has been locked up with brown rot in potatoes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5900/08]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the restrictions that have been placed on potato growers and farmers whose crop has been contaminated with brown rot in potatoes; the aid her Department has provided to these farmers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5901/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 to 168, inclusive, together.

Brown rot is caused by the bacterium Ralstonia Solanacearum and results in yield losses in host plants and the rotting of tubers. The disease poses no risk to human or animal health. The handling of this disease is governed by EU legislation, which is being followed by my Department in this case. My Department has also had a contingency plan in place for some time prior to this outbreak.

Brown rot was for the first time found on Irish produced potatoes in September 2007. Since then the Department has implemented its contingency plan for a brown rot outbreak and has worked tirelessly to control and eradicate this dangerous bacterial disease. Disease prevention notices have been served on growers where the disease has been confirmed. Potatoes may only be moved off the farms involved under permit and under the control of officials from my Department.

My Ministers of State and I have met these farmers on a number of occasions and officials from my Department are in constant contact with the individual potato growers involved, the farming organizations and the potato trade in an effort to control the spread of this disease and to try to address issues faced by the individual farmers concerned. The latest such meeting took place last evening in my Department and the issues raised are being currently examined.