Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 425: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason there is no funding available for poultry farmers here; and if he will provide a commitment that he will move to allocate the necessary funding to poultry farmers. [7411/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Common Agricultural Policy constrains the financial assistance that can be afforded to poultry producers. Usually, such assistance is linked to avian health or welfare considerations. For example, a scheme was put in place to compensate farmers, who suffered losses arising from the fall-off in consumer confidence, when there was widespread negative publicity surrounding avian influenza in 2006. This amounted to just under €500,000. In 2007, assistance was provided under the Water Chlorination Grant Scheme which amounted to €1.17 million. There is also a current scheme of financial assistance for flockowners in whose flocks certain types of salmonella have been detected.

I am aware of the difficulties facing the poultry industry here. I have undertaken a number of initiatives to assist the industry in maintaining market share in the Irish retail sector which is the primary outlet for Irish-produced poultry. The Bord Bia Poultry Quality Assurance Scheme is a key tool in promoting Irish poultry. The Bord is continuously engaged in developing and widening the scope of the Scheme which has been accredited under EN45011 by the national accreditation board.

Labelling continues to be an issue for the sector. I believe there should be country of origin labelling on all meats and my Department has been in extensive communication over the past year with the European Commission with a view to making such labelling compulsory. While the Commission adopted a negative opinion in relation to our proposal for national legislation, I will continue to press for country of origin labelling in the context of the Commission's proposal for a new regulation on food information. The Department of Health and Children is the lead Department for that proposal and my officials remain in contact with it on this issue.

Another issue facing the poultry sector is compliance with legislation on the protection of the environment. The Intensive Livestock Group was established in my Department to assist poultry and pig producers in finding viable solutions to manure disposal problems. Producers, processors and Teagasc are represented on this group, whose work is continuing. I have also asked the Poultry expert Group to reconvene so that it can review its recommendations in the light of developments over the last year and consider what further issues warrant consideration. The Group's 2007 report focused on a range of issues including labelling, environmental protection, welfare legislation and feeding stuffs. The Group will meet within the next fortnight.