Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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206. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role his Department will play in the cull of minks on mink farms; the expected time frame for the cull to be completed; the mitigation and support measures to be provided to the farms concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40695/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Chief Veterinary Officer within my Department recently received a communication from the Chief Medical Officer setting out the view and concern of the Department of Health relating to the identification of mutations of SARS-CoV-2 in the mink population in Europe. The demonstration of one strain which appeared in laboratory tests to exhibit decreased susceptibility to antibodies from previously infected people and the concern that this variant, if spread, might be less easily be controlled by vaccines currently under development. The conclusion from the Department of Health was that the continued farming of mink represents a potential significant and ongoing risk to public health and recommended that farmed mink in Ireland should be culled in the interest of public health in Ireland.

Officials in my Department continue to engage with the farmers concerned, the Department of Health and the Office of the Attorney General to consider the next steps. In the meantime, the farms continue to operate subject to strict biosecurity protocols and animal welfare standards.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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207. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which physical attendance will be facilitated for buyers at marts upon the end of the current level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40696/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Since the beginning of the Covid19 global pandemic, my Department has worked intensively, in cooperation with marts representative organisations, to ensure that marts may remain in operation. My Department has adapted the conditions under which marts must operate since April, to reflect the various measures introduced by the Government to stop the spread of this disease.

The Taoiseach announced that from Tuesday 1st December, the country will operate under Level 3 restrictions. For marts, this means a return to conditions under which they operated in October. My Department wrote to the marts and marts representative organisations on Monday, 30th November, advising them of these changes.

These conditions include mandatory face coverings for all staff and visitors, physical distancing throughout the mart and cleaning and hand hygiene arrangements. Buyers can attend the sales ring subject to adhering to 2 metre social distancing, and can view stock in the pens without prior appointment subject to maintaining a minimum social distance of 2 meters.