Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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136. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is concerned by the recent ordering of a culling of lice infested farmed salmon in Norway to protect young migrating wild salmon, if he is be concerned that planned farming activity in Irish waters could lead to a similar problem and threaten wild stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52174/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s sea lice control protocols are operated by the Marine Institute and are strictly evidence-based. The protocols 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 made widely available.

- Treatment trigger levels are set at a low level.

In 2008, the State introduced a new Pest Management Strategy, supplementing the control regime already in place. This has resulted in a steady decline in average sea lice numbers on farmed salmon since its inception.