Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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809. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that are currently in place to enforce home quarantine for pets and exotic animals travelling into Ireland from foreign countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27609/22]

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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810. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the protocols that are in place to report non-compliance with home quarantine measures for pets and exotic animals travelling into the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27610/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 809 and 810 together.

Home Isolation is currently an option only for pets accompanying Ukrainian refugees. No other pets entering Ireland have the option of home isolation. This is a temporary measure which is being kept under review and on-going risk assessment.

Recognising the exceptional circumstance created by the invasion of Ukraine, temporary humanitarian arrangements have been put in place, to allow people travelling from Ukraine to Ireland to be accompanied by their pets, even if the pets are not in full compliance with EU Travel Regulations.  In accordance with Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 576/2013 and, by way of derogation from the conditions provided for non-commercial movements of pet animals, Member States may, in exceptional situations, authorise the non-commercial movement into their territory of pet animals which do not comply with the conditions in Regulation (EU) 576/2013.

Where Ukrainian pets are not fully compliant with EU regulations, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine veterinary services are taking steps to bring these animals into compliance with the legislative travel requirements, to protect our domestic population and protect public health. These measures include microchipping animals, providing tapeworm treatment and rabies vaccination for pets, as required.

Pet owners are provided with information translated into Ukrainian, on how to manage their pet in home isolation, where relevant. Department staff follow up with the pet owners to advise them on the necessary requirements to bring these pets into compliance with EU Pet Travel regulations. My Department staff have arrangements in place with private veterinarians to provide the treatments to bring Ukrainian pets into compliance at no cost to their owners.  This exceptional response is being kept under review. Official isolation for pets can be introduced if deemed necessary.

Home isolation is being monitored and enforced by Authorised Officers of the Department's Regional  Offices in conjunction with staff based in Headquarters. Follwing any necessary treatment and instruction at the points of entry, Department staff maintain contact with the owners by phone/email/post with follow-on instructions/direction on home isolation and any other requirements for their pets. Follow up risk informed home-visits are carried out by authorised officers as necessary. 

Private Veterinary Practitioners have been issued instructions on how to deal with these pets, and have received documents in English and Ukrainian for pet owners. Any non-compliances noticed during these communications and visits are to be reported to the Department.

All this information is available on the Department's website in English and Ukrainian. Members of the public who have concerns about the non-isolation of Ukrainian pets should contact the Department's regional offices with the necessary details. 

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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811. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that are in place to protect the health of veterinary professionals from imported zoonotic diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27611/22]

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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813. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans to commence a public awareness campaign on the danger of the spread of exotic diseases and their risk to both animal and human health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27613/22]

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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814. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the precautions that are currently in place to prevent and limit the spread of exotic diseases amongst pets and exotic animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27614/22]

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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815. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans to put additional preventative measures in place to limit and prevent the spread of exotic diseases amongst pets and exotic animals given that they pose a threat to the health and welfare of both animals and pets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27615/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 811, 813, 814 and 815 together.

There are a number of protections in place to prevent the introduction and spread of exotic and zoonotic diseases in Ireland.

All animals and products of animal origin are subject to EU sanitary requirements. These requirements are in place to reduce the risk of importation and spread disease. The requirements for animals generally to enter Ireland are outlined in the EU Animal Health Law, Regulation (EU) 429/2016. The requirements for a pet to enter Ireland are outlined in Regulation (EU) 576/2013. Any animal which does not meet the health requirements set out in these regulation are quarantined or returned to the country of origin. 

Any animal or product of animal origin entering Ireland from outside the EU undergoes checks at the Border Control Post (BCP) upon entry. Their health status and health documentation are checked. All pets entering from third countries are checked, whilst pets entering from the EU undergo spot checks

Recognising the exceptional circumstance created by the invasion of Ukraine, temporary arrangements have been put in place to allow people travelling from Ukraine to Ireland to be accompanied by their pets, even if the pets are not in full compliance with EU Travel Regulations.  In accordance with Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 576/2013 and, by way of derogation from the conditions provided for non-commercial movements of pet animals, Member States may, in exceptional situations, authorise the non-commercial movement into their territory of pet animals which do not comply with the conditions in Regulation (EU) 756/2013.

Temporary exceptional humanitarian arrangements have therefore been put in place for refugees from Ukraine. They are allowed to enter Ireland with their accompanying pets under specific conditions. This includes pre-notification by email the point of entry they will be arriving to in advance and animals must be presented to Department staff at the point of entry for examination.

Where these pets are not fully compliant with EU regulations, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine veterinary services are taking steps to bring these animals into compliance with the legislative travel requirements, to protect our domestic population and protect public health. These measures include, as determined to be necessary in each case, microchipping animals, providing tapeworm treatment and rabies vaccination. All non-compliant pets must then be home isolated for a minimum of four months after vaccination, and undergo a blood test, paid for by the Department. Instructions are given to owners in both English and Ukrainian. These exceptional response measures are being kept under review and arrangements for official isolation are available when deemed necessary.

It is important to note that these exceptional measures only apply to accompanied pets from Ukraine.  

All other movements of animals (including unaccompanied pet animals, commercial, unknown origin, stray animals, animals from shelters) that do not meet regular requirements for entry, cannot be accepted into Ireland without full compliance with legislatively prescribed health certification.

My Department has a Division, the National Disease Control Centre, which monitors, undertakes preparatory work for any required response in respect of  exotic diseases in Ireland. Awareness posters are present at arrival points to the EU in accordance with the requirements of Regulation 2019/2122. Information is provided to importers of animals as to requirements and risks

The Animal Health and Welfare Act (2013) outlines measures which my Department can take in the event of a disease outbreak.

Zoonoses - diseases that pass between animals and humans - have always been and continue to be of relevance and concern in the public health area, especially for those that interface directly with animals and animal products. Such risks are mitigated against through awareness, information campaigns and  general hygienic practices. Where specific additional specific risks may be expected, vaccination may be considered in certain situation. Public Health advise is a matter for the Department of Health and the HSE, with whom my Department works closely as part of One Health. 

The European Communities (Birds & Natural Habitats) Regulation 2011 restricts the importation, distribution, sale or release of approximately 70 species of plants and animals considered to be harmful invasive alien species of national concern.  It is an offence to breed, reproduce or release an animal listed as an invasive alien species.

Animals covered by the EU Habitats Directive, such as otters and bats, are afforded strict protection and may not be sold in pet shop.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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812. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has considered discontinuing the practice of supplying worming treatment upon arrival into Ireland and instead implement a protocol whereby pets and animals would be subject to consistent administration of veterinary care and treatment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27612/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Dogs may enter Ireland either as a pet movement or a commercial movement. The requirements for a pet dog to enter Ireland are outlined in Regulation (EU) 576/2013. The requirements for a dog to enter Ireland as a commercial movement are outlined in Regulation (EU) 429/2016. All dogs entering Ireland from any country apart from Finland, Malta, Norway or Northern Ireland, must be treated against tapeworm (specifically Echinococcus multilocularis) by a vet and the treatment recorded in the pet passport or EU health certificate before entry into Ireland. The treatment must contain praziquantel (or equivalent) and must be administered by a veterinarian no less than 24 hours (1 day) and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before the scheduled arrival time of the dog. This is because the states/territories with special arrangements listed above, along with Ireland, are free of Echinococcus. Removing this requirement for treatment before entry would potentially leave Ireland vulnerable to the introduction of Echinococcus. Additionally it would be impossible to monitor and enforce treatment after entry for every pet dog that enters Ireland from every country.

Recognising the exceptional circumstance created by the invasion of Ukraine, temporary arrangements have been put in place to allow people travelling from Ukraine to Ireland to be accompanied by their pets, even if the pets are not in full compliance with EU Travel Regulations.  In accordance with Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 576/2013 and, by way of derogation from the conditions provided for non-commercial movements of pet animals, Member States may, in exceptional situations, authorise the non-commercial movement into their territory of pet animals which do not comply with the conditions in Regulation (EU) 756/2013.

Temporary exceptional humanitarian arrangements have therefore been put in place for refugees from Ukraine. They are allowed to enter Ireland with their pets under specific conditions. In the first instance, they must pre-notify by email the point of entry they will be arriving to in advance and animals must be presented to Department staff at the point of entry for examination. 

Where pets are not fully compliant with EU regulations, my Department’s veterinary services are taking steps to bring these animals into compliance with the legislative travel requirements, to protect our domestic population and protect public health. These measures  include microchipping animals, providing tapeworm treatment and rabies vaccination for pets,  as required. All non-compliant pets must then be placed in home isolation for a minimum of four months after vaccination. My Department is keeping this exceptional response measure under review.

These exceptional measures only apply to accompanied pets from Ukraine.  All other movements of animals (unaccompanied, commercial, unknown origin, stray animals, animals from shelters) that do not meet regular requirements for entry, cannot be accepted into Ireland without full compliance with legislatively prescribed health certification.

The requirement for dogs to receive treatment against tapeworm plays an important role in maintaining Ireland’s Echinococcus multilocularis free status.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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816. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reconsider the current protocol for animals entering the country and replace it with one that meets an international standard whereby animals travelling from endemic countries or zones are subject to robust quarantine measures and active disease prevention before travelling and entering into a country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27616/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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At the outset, I would clarify that the only easement for imports of animals this year is based on an EU decision to allow people travelling from Ukraine to the EU to be accompanied by their pets, even where the pets are not in full compliance with EU Travel Regulations. This temporary measure is in recognition of the exceptional circumstance created by the invasion of Ukraine.

Accordingly, refugees from the Ukraine are allowed to enter Ireland with their pets, but under specific conditions. Where pets are not fully compliant with EU regulations, the veterinary services in my Department are taking steps to bring these animals into compliance with the legislative travel requirements, to protect our domestic population and protect public health. This response measure is kept under review and is guided by risk assessment. 

My Department implements a range of risk mitigation measures to prevent an incursion of any disease threat in Ireland.