Written Answers. - Shellfish Industry.
Edward Nealon
Question:
91
Mr. Nealon
asked the
Minister for the Marine
if his attention has been drawn to the fact that EC Directive 91/67 offers no protection to Irish waters from the inadvertent introduction of other species, parasites or predators along with specified shellfish; and if, in view of the danger that such a development might contain for the Irish shellfish industry, he intends to introduce domestic regulations sufficient to protect Irish waters after the introduction of the EC Directive.
Edward Nealon
Question:
92
Mr. Nealon
asked the
Minister for the Marine
if his attention has been drawn to the Irish shellfish industry's concern about the danger of the introduction of disease, predators and other agents into Irish waters, in view of the EC Directive 91/67; and if he will outline the steps, if any, which are being taken to prevent such a development.
Edward Nealon
Question:
93
Mr. Nealon
asked the
Minister for the Marine
if his attention has been drawn to the particular concern of Irish clam growers about the possibility of the introduction of brown ring disease into their stocks; and if he will outline the steps, if any, he proposes to take to prevent such a development.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 to 93, inclusive, together.
These questions relate to Council Directive 91/67/EEC, concerning the animal health conditions governing the placing on the market of aquaculture animals and products. Member states must give effect to the Directive by 1 January, 1993.
The purpose of Directive 91/67 is to remove barriers to the free movement of aquaculture animals and products, while at the same time preventing the spread of contagious diseases, particularly to those parts of the Community which are currently free from such diseases. It is intended that the Community will be divided into zones, reflecting its fish health status, and that movement of fish species from zones of lower health status to zones of higher status will be prohibited. There will be free movement of fish between zones of equivalent health status.
In relation to shellfish, Ireland will be applying to the Commission for approval to undertake a two year programme for January 1993 to achieve approved zone status in respect of the diseases listed in the Directive. In this regard I am aware of the concerns of the shellfish industry, and my officials have had discussions with the Irish Shellfish Association, regarding the possible introduction of brown ring disease into Ireland's clam stocks. The position is that, while brown ring disease is not at this stage a listed disease under the Directive, which would require other member states to achieve health status equivalent to Ireland's before moving clam stocks to this country, the definitive list of diseases has not yet been finalised. My officials have already raised this matter with the European Commission, and will be continuing to make every effort in the coming weeks to ensure that brown ring disease is included as a listed disease under the Directive.
As Directive 91/67 relates to animal health conditions, and therefore focuses on the prevention of spread of diseases, it contains no provision for protection from the inadvertent introduction of other species, predators or other agents along with specified shellfish. In the circumstances, and as there are no Community harmonisation proposals in relation to this matter, my Department is urgently examining possible domestic measures to prevent such inadvertent introductions.
