Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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137. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the various veterinary laboratory facilities in respect of the bovine, pig, poultry, lamb and equine sectors here are adequate to meet all laboratory testing requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26528/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The laboratory facilities at Backweston are capable of meeting the vast majority of my Department’s analytical and diagnostic requirements in relation to the bovine, pig, poultry, lamb and equine sectors. While DAFM Laboratories have the capability to carry out most of the tests in these areas, for cost efficient reasons, some low volume, highly specialised reference test methods that are periodically required are still outsourced to specialist centres. Examples of the type of tests still outsourced are the phage typing of bacteria, foot and mouth disease virus isolation, some confirmatory testing and certain toxin and residue analysis.

Amelioration works in one area, the category 4 containment laboratories, are in progress with a view to bringing that laboratory into operation. A mock up phase to check the feasibility of this project has been completed and the main works in this area are currently subject to procurement. The Category 4 laboratory will provide my Department with the additional containment facilities necessary to control the presence of exotic animal diseases that may be introduced into Ireland and is required to confirm Ireland’s existing high animal health status.