Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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180. 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 cooperate in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37982/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Animal health is an ongoing priority both for my Department and for the European Union.

The livestock sector contributes very substantially to Irish 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. It is therefore essential that all stakeholders in the livestock sector collaborate to ensure, insofar as possible, compliance with the highest animal health standards. In view of this and of the importance I attach to animal health matters, I launched a consultation process last September on the development of a new Farmed Animal Health Strategy framework for Ireland. A coherent and robust Strategy has the capability to deliver very significant savings per annum as has been evidenced in the case of the recent progress being made on the BVD eradication programme. On the other hand, sub-optimal animal health impacts negatively at individual farm level, on processor returns, on the environment and ultimately on international trade and domestic employment levels.  In addition, zoonotic infections in animals as well as the avoidable use of antibiotics in animals may impact on public health. The principle that guides the Strategy,  ‘Prevention is better than Cure,’ seeks to change the focus from one of post-event response and the management of disease, to one that promotes animal health as a driver of optimised production, improved margins for producers and providing the best quality for consumers.  My Department is currently reviewing submissions received from stakeholders.

 I should also mention the most recent meeting of the Agriculture North South Ministerial Council in October, which provided an opportunity, together with Michelle McIlveen MLA, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, to review progress on the All-Island Animal Health and Welfare Strategy Action Plan. In the context of Brexit, the Council agreed to the continuation of practical and effective North South co-operation on animal health and welfare, and disease control in both jurisdictions in order that the health and welfare of livestock is maintained at the highest level.

 At EU level, a major revamp of the European Union Animal health law (AHL) was agreed by the Council and the European Parliament in March 2016, and will be applicable from 2021.  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.