Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

572. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which animal health continues to be a priority here and throughout Europe; the degree to which other European countries co-operate in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14889/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Issues related to animal health continue to be a priority both for my Department and for the European Union. In this context, it is worthwhile to note that a major revamp of the European Union Animal Health Law (AHL) was agreed by the Council and the European Parliament earlier this year. The new AHL provides for the adoption of a single and simplified regulatory framework for animal health by putting greater focus on preventative measures, disease surveillance, controls and research in order to reduce the incidence of animal diseases and minimise the impact of outbreaks when they occur.  It sets out the basic principles of animal health including rules for movements of animals, animal products and products of animal origin and disease control and eradication measures. It also lays down conditions for early detection and disease notification. Some 40 existing EU directives and regulations will be superseded when the AHL is implemented.

With regard to Ireland, the position is that the livestock sector contributes very substantially to economic development and growth in exports. FoodWise 2025 envisages a further significant expansion in agricultural output, primarily based on animal production over the next 10 years. In view of this and, having regard to the fact that animal health is a major factor in on-farm productivity and profitability, it is essential that all stakeholders involved in the livestock sector collaborate to ensure, insofar as possible, compliance with the highest animal health standards.  In this context, I plan to launch a consultation process in the coming weeks on the development of a new Farmed Animal Health Strategy framework for Ireland.  I look forward to the outcome of this process.