Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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644. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the protocols being put in place to combat the recent cases of bird flu here; if his Department's officials have identified the source; if his attention has been drawn to any threats to other counties such as counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4240/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The H5N8 strain of avian influenza has been responsible for over 500 of outbreaks of disease in poultry and in excess of 430 mortality events in wild birds in Europe since the end of October 2016. It is a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza which means that it causes severe disease and often death in infected birds. Its spread can be attributed to the movement of wild migratory birds and since December 2016 there have been 5 confirmed cases of H5N8 in wild birds in Ireland. It is now likely to be well established in the wild bird population throughout the country.  

On the 23/12/16 this Department announced regulations under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 requiring flock keepers to confine all poultry and captive birds in their possession or under their control in a secure building to which wild birds, or other animals do not have access, and to apply specific bio-security measures. This is the first time such action has been taken by this Department. The requirement to keep birds confined was extended on the 23/01/17 and it will remain in place until further notice but will kept under review.

Bird gatherings (shows, exhibitions and races) are permitted under general licence, subject to prior notification and certain bio security conditions.

This Department emphasises the requirement to confine poultry and other birds, and to apply strict bio-security measures to prevent the introduction of avian influenza.  Poultry flock owners should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks, and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Department Veterinary Office. A range of biosecurity information and advice for people owning different species (ducks, geese, turkeys) and backyard flocks is provided on the Department’s website. Key biosecurity advice has also been published in the national press.

Other measures e.g. a bans on hunting, release of game bird or pigeon racing have been considered and have been ruled out at this time. The Department continues to monitor the rapidly evolving situation and will adjust its measures if necessary.

The Department continues to review all aspects of its contingency arrangements in light of any emerging veterinary or scientific information and introduces such measures as are considered appropriate. Lessons learned by colleagues in other EU Member States are regularly taken into account in our plans.