Written answers

Tuesday, 7 November 2017

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Sea Lice Controls

Photo of Martin FerrisMartin Ferris (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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893. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to a closed containment of farm salmon agreement to try to eradicate sea lice between Norway and a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45875/17]

Photo of Martin FerrisMartin Ferris (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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894. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to eradicate the sea lice problem as a result of the farm salmon industry. [45876/17]

Photo of Martin FerrisMartin Ferris (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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895. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to regulate the farm salmon industry regarding sea lice and prevent escapes. [45877/17]

Photo of Martin FerrisMartin Ferris (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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896. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to an agreement signed between the Norwegian Government and a company (details supplied) regarding salmon farming on 25 May 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45878/17]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 893 to 896, inclusive, together.

The control of sea lice is managed by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State.  These 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 inspection is published and made widely available.

- Treatment trigger levels are set at a low level.

The sea lice monitoring and control programme in Ireland has been acknowledged by the Environment Directorate (DG Environment) of the EU Commission as representing international best practice.

In April 2016, my Department introduced a Protocol for the Structural Design of Marine Finfish Farms.  This Protocol will help to protect against the likelihood of structural failure and will assist in the prevention of salmon farm escapes.

My Department is not aware of the agreement between the Norwegian authorities and the company referred to by the Deputy in relation to the management of sea lice. My Department has asked Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) for observations on the matter and as soon as these are available, I will forward these to the Deputy.

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