John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding EU pilot 764/09 environmental infringement case regarding sea lice management on Irish salmon farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52270/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The infringement case referred to by the Deputy was closed by the EU Commission on 11 October 2012 following the submission to the Commission by my Department of the facts in relation to the case.

In Ireland the control protocols in respect of sea lice are operated by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State and are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons: the inspection regime is totally independent of the industry; data obtained as a result of inspections is published; and treatment trigger levels are set at a low level. These controls are widely accepted as representing best practice internationally.