asked the Minister for the Marine the present position in relation to the outbreak of Bonamia Ostrea; the areas which are infected; and the report which he received from France regarding allegations of an infected consignment of oysters.
Written Answers. - Bonamia Ostrea Disease.
77.
Bonamia has been found in Clew Bay, County Mayo. This is the second instance of the disease in Irish waters. Bonamia was first discovered in oyster stocks in Cork Harbour in March 1987. Following that discovery, I made an Order banning the movement of all molluscan shellfish within Irish waters except for human consumption or under licence from my Department. An intensive programme of testing was put into operation at that time, taking samples from oyster beds all around the coast. To date Clew Bay is the only area other than Cork Harbour where the disease has been confirmed.
The effects of this latest discovery of Bonamia are:
(a) a ban on the movement of shellfish from Clew Bay for re-laying in other areas, and
(b) a ban on the re-laying of Clew Bay oysters in French waters, although Clew Bay oysters may still be exported to France in baskets for direct sale.
As to reports from France, my Department received unofficial reports from France in January to the effect that French scientists had discovered Bonamia in a consignment of Clew Bay oysters. I sent a member of the staff of FRC to investigate and report back. It transpired that French scientists had developed a technique — only perfected in February — of using heart blood samples only and which is capable of detecting Bonamia at very low levels. This method of testing is now being used by the FRC which is now carrying out extensive tests of Clew Bay to establish the extent of the outbreak of Bonamia there. The testing programme in other areas around the coast will be continued. The regulations governing the movements of molluscan shellfish will be kept under review in the light of the results of the tests which are being carried out.
I would add for the information of the Deputy that Bonamia, which is a difficult disease to detect by any means, is completely harmless to the human consumer. It affects native, edulis, oysters only and can lead to high mortalities in adult oysters. It does not kill pacific, gigas, oysters and there is no evidence to suggest that any other species of shellfish can spread the disease.