John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

298. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to make a comprehensive statement with regard to avian, bird flu in general; Irelands preparedness for the disease; and cross-Border measures in relation to same given recent incidents in Northern Ireland of bird flu. [6865/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department takes the threat of avian influenza seriously. My officials are monitoring the situation regarding avian influenza in Northern Ireland and continuously engaging with stakeholders in the poultry sector and also with colleagues in Northern Ireland on this issue.

Strict biosecurity is the most effective tool to protect poultry against avian influenza. This is why the Government introduced the Avian Influenza (Biosecurity Measures) Regulations last December and introduced the Avian Influenza (Precautionary Confinement of Birds and Restriction on Assembly of Live Birds) Regulations 2025 which came into effect on 17th February of this year. Similar measures have been introduced in Northern Ireland.

Officials from my Department conduct avian influenza surveillance measures in wild birds and poultry throughout the year. The detection of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in five wild birds in different parts of the country (counties Galway, Dublin, Westmeath, Wexford and Donegal) since early December 2024 shows that these measures are effective. The Department also undertakes significant preparation in terms of continency planning, training and other resourcing around potential avian influenza outbreaks in poultry flocks and swiftly dealt with outbreaks that occurred in 2022 and 2021.

Veterinary officials from my Department are in regular contact with medical colleagues in the HSE and HPSC in relation to the potential risk of human infection with avian influenza virus. The avian influenza National Coordination Group meets regularly to consider the risk and to plan accordingly. The European Centres for Disease Control (ECDC) has stated that the risk to the general public from avian influenza is low. However, the public are advised not to touch sick or dying wild birds, in case they may be infected.

There is no food safety risk relating to avian influenza from properly cooked eggs and poultry meat.

Detailed advice relating to avian influenza is available on my Department’s website.