Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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815. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department’s response plan following the recent confirmation of avian influenza (H5N1) outbreaks on commercial turkey farms in counties Meath and Carlow; the measures being taken to prevent further spread of the disease; and if he will provide details of the compensation supports available to affected farmers, including the process and timeline for assessment and payment of losses incurred as a result of mandatory culling and movement restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61862/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Following the detection of three outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) caused by the H5N1 virus, in turkeys in counties Carlow, Meath and Monaghan, my Department is implementing disease control and eradication measures in line with the EU Animal Health Law provisions and national legislation.

My Department is working closely with poultry industry stakeholders to provide information to farmers and poultry keepers on how to protect flocks from infection through strengthened biosecurity measures. To that end, I implemented mandatory biosecurity measures on 1st November, and a mandatory housing order on 10th November for all poultry and captive birds.

My Department is also carrying out an ongoing extensive public communications campaign, warning the public not to touch or pick up dead wild birds, due to the risk of human infection if those birds had died of avian influenza.

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 a HPAI outbreak. 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.