Written answers

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Departmental Communications

Photo of Niamh SmythNiamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1252. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review correspondence (details supplied); when the recommendations of same will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16339/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I have previously reviewed Professor Hennessey’s comprehensive report on the economic importance of the Poultry Industry in Ireland and I met with the Poultry Industry to discuss this report in more detail last December.

Following this meeting, I asked my officials to evaluate the four recommendations contained in this report with a priority placed on examining the key recommendation, the establishment of a co-financed fund to improve disease control and mitigate its financial impact.

I would like to advise the Deputy that in relation to both outbreaks of Avian Influenza mentioned in the correspondence provided to you, my Department provided financial support to the affected poultry producers. While no legal basis exists for a mandatory compensation scheme under EU legislation in respect of the Low Pathogenic H6N1 Avian Influenza outbreak in 2020, a once-off financial support scheme was established following DPER approval, to provide some support to affected poultry producers.

Regarding the December 2020 outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, the Animal Health and Welfare Act, No. 15 of 2013 does allow me, as Minister, to support farmers in the event of outbreaks of certain diseases which includes Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and this provision is currently being availed of.

In addition, some excellent supports are already in place such as the use of the RDP-funded Targeted Advisory Service for Animal Health measure for assessing farm level biosecurity risks that is available at no cost to poultry farmers.

My officials continue to explore what additional measures could be utilised, within the context of existing national and EU legislation, to support the industry as much as possible in their pursuit of establishing a funding support system for use by the industry in the face of poultry disease challenges. We will update Industry on these findings shortly, together with an update on the three other report recommendations.

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