Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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177. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is concerned by the potential for xylella fastidiosa to spread through olive wood for sale in Ireland; the measures that are in place to mitigate against any outbreak of the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61341/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is aware of the importation of olive firewood into Ireland, the origin of which is a country where Xylella fastidiosa has not been identified.  Traders are obliged to notify the Minister in writing as soon as practicable and no later than 48 hours after arrivalof the import of fuel wood from another Member State, into the State.

The main pathway for entry and spread of X. fastidiosa is the trade, or movement, of plants for planting. Wood is considered an unlikely pathway for the movement and spread of the disease. My Department has an eradication plan in place including the establishment of a demarcated area where the presence of the harmful organism has been identified. In addition, Stakeholders will be formally consulted on the National Xylella fastidiosa Contingency Plan early in the new year.