Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 19: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the measures she will take to resolve the serious financial hardship facing farmers who have had their businesses frozen due to brown rot; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7085/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Since the brown rot outbreak was found on Irish produced potatoes in September 2007 my Department officials have implemented the contingency plan for 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 and this results in limiting the movement of potatoes on and off the farms involved and may only be done under permit and under the control of officials from my Department.

The handling of this disease is governed by EU legislation, which is being followed by my Department in this case. The disease poses no risk to human or animal health.

I myself and my colleague Ministers of State have met these farmers on a number of occasions. Officials from my Department are in constant contact with the individual potato growers involved, the farming organisations and the potato trade in an effort to address issues faced by the individual farmers concerned while at the same time ensuring that all possible steps are being taken to control the spread of this disease. The latest such meeting took place last Friday 18th February.