Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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420. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of discussions he has had on the need to protect the progress made in the development of an all-island animal health plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52020/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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There is ongoing, close co-operation between my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, including through dedicated working groups established as part of the All-Island Animal Health and Welfare Strategy Action Plan by the North/South Ministerial Council. The working groups focus on critical issues such as disease control, animal identification and movement, cross-border communication, data sharing and the development of joint initiatives on animal welfare. 

In October 2016 I chaired the most recent meeting of the North South Ministerial Council on agriculture.  Together with Michelle McIlveen, then Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, we welcomed the continuing work on the delivery of the Action Plan and, in the context of Brexit, looked forward to the continuation of practical and effective 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.

Since December 2016 I have hosted a number of all-island civic dialogue events to discuss the implications of Brexit across the agrifood sector.  These events provide important opportunities to engage directly in detail with stakeholders on the implications of Brexit and the potential responses that will be required as the negotiations unfold. The need to maintain an all-island approach to animal health/disease issues has been consistently highlighted during these discussions.