Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 40: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the effect of receiving official recognition of Ireland's Aujeszky's disease control and eradication status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16784/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made towards attaining official recognition of freedom from Aujeszky's disease here, including co-operation with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16785/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 76 together.

I am delighted to confirm that Ireland has achieved official EU recognition of our Aujeszky's disease control and eradication status. Attaining "Annex II" status is a very significant milestone in meeting the objective of the Aujeszky's Disease Control and Eradication Programme: eradicating Aujeszky's disease from the national pig herd. Attaining this national status also offers protection to the live pig trade, both now and into the future. We are now moving forward with Phase 3 of the Control and Eradication Programme, with the ultimate intention of moving to "Annex I" status – official disease freedom. All necessary resources for this phase have been put in place and herdowners will receive notification to test in the coming weeks. My officials are in regular communication with their counterparts in Northern Ireland with regard to Aujeszky's control and eradication.