Catherine Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
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165. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department is taking to ensure effective testing of suspected cases of HPAI H5N1. [66611/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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All suspected outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry and captive birds that are reported to my Department are followed up by my Department's veterinary inspectors.

Where the suspicion of avian influenza cannot be ruled out on clinical grounds by a Departmental veterinary inspector, samples are taken and tested. My Department's laboratories test for HPAI using accredited methods in line with the EU Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza guidelines.

My Department issues regular communications regarding the threat of HPAI to Ireland's poultry industry and undertakes regular engagement with poultry industry stakeholders and with the wider public.

All poultry and captive bird keepers should remain vigilant for clinical signs of the disease and report any suspicion to their local Regional Veterinary Office without delay. More information on HPAI, including details of clinical signs, practical biosecurity recommendations, and the current HPAI situation in Ireland, can be found on the Government Website at: www.gov.ie/birdflu