Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the membership of the national implementation group formed as a result of the document A Strategy for Improved Pest Control on Irish Salmon Farms; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that one of the main tasks of this group is to ensure lice levels on salmon farms are kept below treatment trigger levels, as per the sea lice monitoring protocol, in order to minimise the effects of sea lice infestation on migrating salmonids; the reason members of the wild fish interests such as the central or regional fisheries boards and a company (details supplied) were specifically excluded from the national implementation group in view of their inclusion in all previous implementation groups and committees over the past 20 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25416/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Following the transfer of the aquaculture function from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, a strategy document was drafted by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food entitled "A Strategy for Improved Pest Control on Irish Salmon Farms". The strategy was approved by the then Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in May 2008.

One of the measures recommended in the strategy was the setting up of a national implementation group and the membership of that group was also outlined. The membership of the group was established in accordance with the recommendations in the strategy document. The focus of the group is to engage the Department and its agencies in co-operation with the salmon farming industry to enhance pest control and management in the context of good husbandry practice.