Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he plans to introduce a national strategy regarding infectious diseases such as IBR, BDVD and Joannes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19647/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is actively working with relevant stakeholders to progress a herd health initiative to deal with non-regulated diseases in a comprehensive and integrated manner. The initiative complements existing animal health programmes and aims to develop effective national plans for action and facilitate Ireland achieving international best practice in the area of animal health. Officials of my Department have had discussions with the principal stakeholders, including farming and industry representatives, service providers and relevant state agencies and all have indicated broad support for the initiative. Following on these discussions, formal proposals have been circulated to the stakeholders inviting them to indicate if they can support the initiative and its intended objectives and seeking commitments from them to funding.

I am satisfied that there is a genuine commitment by all parties to work together to develop an infrastructure to improve animal health. A number of those contacted have already responded positively to the formal proposals circulated and we are awaiting definitive responses from the remaining stakeholders.