Written answers

Tuesday, 8 December 2020

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Animal Diseases

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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71. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it will be ensured that either an insurance scheme or a standard compensation package is in place for poultry farmers that have to cull flocks as a result of avian influenza outbreaks. [41600/20]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides that compensation to owners of animals may be payable if a cull of those animals is directed by my Department in the event of an outbreak in that herd or flock of certain diseases, including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The compensation may relate to the animal that is culled, or to an animal product, animal feed or similar item that is destroyed in relation to the outbreak. The compensation may not exceed the open market value of the animal or item.

In 2017 my Department engaged an external consultancy firm with specialised knowledge of poultry, to develop valuation tables relating to the most common species and types of poultry in Ireland, to be used to determine compensation payable in the case of an outbreak of poultry disease that necessitates a cull.  These valuation tables are updated on a 6-monthly basis.

Ireland is currently in the high risk period (October to April) for the introduction of Avian Influenza as a result of the migration of wild birds returning to overwinter from areas where Avian Influenza is widespread. 

On the 1stDecember I introduced two Statutory Instruments under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, these regulations require flock keepers to apply particular bio-security measures for poultry and other captive birds as a precautionary measure against Avian Influenza, the regulations also include a ban on the assembly of birds. Including, but no limited to, flock owners are to feed and water birds inside or under cover where wild birds cannot access the feed or water and keep poultry separate from wild birds by putting suitable fencing around the outdoor areas they access.

Flock owners should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks, and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Regional Veterinary Office. 

Our key priority is taking pragmatic steps to protect our commercial flock and farmers livelihoods.

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