Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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336. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures currently in place to protect poultry flocks from an outbreak of avian flu; the measures that will be put in place should an outbreak of flu occur; and the compensation or support that is available to flock owners should culling become necessary. [8694/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department takes the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza seriously. Strict biosecurity is the most effective tool to protect poultry against avian influenza. This is why I 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 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in six wild birds in different parts of the country (counties Galway, Dublin, Westmeath, Wexford, Donegal and Wicklow) 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 highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in poultry flocks and swiftly dealt with outbreaks that occurred in 2022 and 2021.

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.

If an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza were to occur in a poultry flock, veterinary officials from my Department would take action in line with the European legislation. This would include the depopulation of the infected flock, carrying out epidemiological investigations, ensuring cleansing and disinfection of the affected premises, and notifying public health colleagues. In the area surrounding any infected flock, a three km protection zone and a ten km surveillance zone would be put in place, within which control and surveillance measures would be implemented.

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. Compensation is payable only to the owner of the animals or items affected.

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