Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the latest information available to her Department on the outbreak of bluetongue in Northern Ireland; the steps she is taking to ensure that the disease does not spread to this country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13070/08]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she is satisfied that all appropriate procedures are in place to prevent the spread of bluetongue disease in the south, in view of the number of outbreaks in Britain and more recently in the north; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13071/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 109 together.

The situation in Northern Ireland and the information available to me and my Department is essentially as I outlined to the House on 21st February.

I would point out, however, that the events in Northern Ireland did not constitute an outbreak of bluetongue, as defined in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1266/2007 – the bluetongue regulation. The virus had been detected in a single animal in Co Antrim on 15th February and that cow and her calf were slaughtered as were a further 23 cows and their calves, following further tests results, which indicated the presence of antibodies or virus in four further calves born from cows in the same consignment. However, at no point was there any evidence that the bluetongue virus was circulating in Northern Ireland and, therefore, this event did not constitute an outbreak and Northern Ireland's disease free status was not affected.

In response to those events, I took unilateral action and introduced a safeguard measure to place a temporary ban on the import of female cattle over 12 months and female sheep over 6 months from premises and holdings in bluetongue restricted zones. This applies only to cattle or sheep for breeding / fattening but not for slaughter. This ban remains in place and will do so until I am satisfied that the EU control measures are adequately revised. Changes to the existing arrangements have been tabled by the EU Commission and are being considered at a meeting of the Standing Committee on Animal Health and Food Chain this week. I will review the temporary ban in the light of any decision taken to amend the Commission Regulation at this meeting.

Following confirmation of the detection of the virus in Northern Ireland, I have asked my officials to further assess the risk and, based on that assessment, which I expect to be concluded very shortly, I will introduce any such additional control measures as are considered appropriate. My Department's contingency arrangements to mitigate the risk of the introduction of the bluetongue virus into the country are based on the existing EU legislation and an ongoing assessment of the risk to Ireland.

In terms of my Department's overall contingency arrangements, we have produced a comprehensive Bluetongue Contingency Plan for Ireland. Information and advice leaflets on Bluetongue were sent to every farmer in the country as well as specifically tailored advisory material as to all members of the Veterinary Profession. My Department's contingency arrangements are kept under constant review and revised as appropriate by reference to the developing disease situation or in the light of legal or other developments, particularly at EU level. In addition, we are also refining arrangements for delivery of a vaccination programme in the event that it becomes necessary to vaccinate here.

In the meantime, I strongly urge Irish farmers not to import livestock under any circumstances, as this represents the biggest risk of the introduction of this disease. I have made this clear to the Farming Organisations during the many briefings on bluetongue and have asked that they too use their influence accordingly.