asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food whether he will take any special measures to highlight the disease-free status of the Irish poultry and egg industry having particular regard to the need by the industry to recover from the effects of the salmonella scare in late 1988; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Disease-Free Irish Poultry.
12.
I have taken every available opportunity to highlight Ireland's excellent avian health status and will continue to do so. Special measures such as publicity campaigns to promote the poultry and eggs industry would be primarily a matter for the industry itself. However, I will review the role of my Department in such campaigns, if and when appropriate.
Following the salmonella scare last year in the UK would the Minister agree that it presented a great opportunity for the Irish poultry and egg industry to capitalise on that situation in terms of marketing, and that as a first step it is essential for his Department to spearhead a campaign to promote the disease-free status of the Irish industry and thus substantially increase their sales and exports?
I accept what Deputy Durkan said. We have a very high health status in the avian area equalled only in EC by Northern Ireland and Denmark. Following a salmonella scare in the UK in 1988 the Department took immediate action and introduced a code of practice for the poultry and egg industry. This was launched by the Minister, Deputy O'Kennedy, on 9 December last year. The code addressed all sectors of the industry, breeders, hatcheries, growers and so on and laid down the most stringent practices to be followed. It set very strict requirements in relation to hygiene, health standards, the use of inputs and also established monitoring procedures. The Department have taken immediate action to spearhead a programme to ensure safety for the consumer and good health in the industry and a good healthy economy in relation to the poultry and eggs industry.
What about free range eggs?
Would the Minister not agree that an opportunity was lost and that joint action could have been taken by the Department and the industry with a view to exploiting the avenues that were open for the sale of poultry and egg products? Would he not consider that it might not be a bad idea to explore those possibilities even at this stage?
We are having ongoing and regular discussions with the industry and I will certainly take the Deputy's suggestion on board.
We will now proceed to deal with Priority Questions.