asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of a report in a newspaper (details supplied) of the emergence of a new virus which is endangering trout and coarse fish in the United Kingdom; and the action he is taking to ensure that the virus does not appear in Irish lakes and rivers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fish Virus.
23.
I have seen the newspaper report referred to by the Deputy. The virus in question has been detected at times in a mild form in fish farms and hatcheries in this country but does not present a serious problem. It has not been detected in our wild fish.
My Department are constantly on their guard against the introduction or spread of fish diseases. Fish farms and hatcheries are screened twice yearly and live fish and ova can be imported only under licence. Such licences are not granted unless the importation is being made from a disease free area.
It is quite clear that the disease cannot be imported from the United Kingdom having regard to the licensing situation but I am rather perturbed to hear that the disease exists, in what the Parliamentary Secretary described as a minor form, in fish farms. Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree with me that there are quite a number of fish farms in this country and that there are rivers in or about the vicinity of such fish farms? It is a well-known fact that fish from these fish farms escape into the rivers —trout in particular—and that as a consequence this disease, minor at present, may become a major problem in the future?
As I indicated in my reply, all farms and hatcheries are screened twice yearly. It is fortunate that affected fish are not found in any of our rivers or streams. That seems to be a peculiarity but it is the report from our biologists that affected fish are not to be found in any of our rivers or streams.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary assure the House that this disease will not become as serious as the ulcerative one which caused damage to our salmon stocks heretofore? Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the nature of the disease in our trout and coarse fishing and would he tell the House what is the nature of that disease?
The Deputy is extending the scope of the question.
We are endeavouring to eliminate the disease. Fortunately, it is not too significant here. We are taking all steps necessary to ensure that it will not increase and, if at all possible, that it will be eliminated. Fortunately, as a result of such precautions, we are in a much more favourable position than other countries so far as this disease is concerned.
On the basis that this is a major problem in Britain and that trout and coarse fishing is a significant tourist attraction here will the Parliamentary Secretary urge his Department or officials to go to the United Kingdom to examine the problem to ensure that it does not become a major problem here which would constitute a major attack on our trout and coarse fishing?
Order.
It is not necessary for our departmental advisers to travel to Britain in search of additional information since they have as much information at their disposal as have their British counterparts. Consequently, I would not authorise expenditure unnecessarily.
Next question.
On a point of order, I am endeavouring to seek the Chair's permission to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
The Deputy is entitled to do that but he may not continue to debate the question now. He could have availed of the Order of Business to seek to have the matter raised on the Adjournment.
Because of the unsatisfactory nature of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, I wish, with your permission, to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.