Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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191. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the outbreak of equine flu in the UK (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7473/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Equine influenza is endemic in both Europe and North America, with outbreaks occurring on an almost annual basis. The virus rarely causes fatalities. Similar to human influenza, vaccines are available. However, if sufficient numbers of horses are infected, equestrian events may have to be cancelled in order to control the spread of the disease.

The recent equine influenza outbreak in the UK resulted in temporary suspension by the racing authorities in the UK of race meetings there and a temporary ban by the racing authorities in Ireland on British-trained horses running in Ireland.

On February 11^th, 2019, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) announced that horses from Britain meeting IHRB requirements could resume racing in Ireland, with immediate effect. Also on that date, the British Horseracing Authority announced a return to racing from 13^thof February 2019.

My Department has liaised closely with the Irish Equine Centre (IEC) on the equine influenza situation. Testing for equine influenza is provided by the IEC and they have also provided on-going expert advice to the industry. My Department’s continued financial support towards maintenance of the Irish Equine Centre’s OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) reference laboratory status in respect of equine influenza (one of just four such designated laboratories in the world) provides an important safeguard to Ireland’s equine industry.

My Department will continue to liaise closely with the Irish Equine Centre and monitor the situation in both Ireland and the UK.