Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 6

Written Answers. - Farm Salmon-Trout Disease Risk.

Michael Finucane

Question:

142 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the concern of salmon and trout anglers of the inherent disease risks of farm salmon and trout; the way in which he intends to allay the concerns of fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister of State at the Department of the Marine (Mr. G. O'Sullivan)

I am aware of concerns expressed by salmon and trout anglers that farmed salmon and trout can pose disease risks for wild salmonid populations. I am also aware that, conversely, fish farmers have similar concerns that wild fish carrying pathogens can be a major cause of disease outbreaks on fish farms. The question of disease transfer between wild and farmed fish is a complex one, with many gaps in our knowledge. Disease is a naturally occurring phenomenon in both wild and farmed salmonid populations. Certain diseases appear to be confined to wild fish, others are normally only seen in farmed fish populations. There are a number of diseases which occur in both.

In addition to ongoing national programmes of research into the causes of and predisposing factors for, disease in wild and farmed salmonid populations, priority is being given to maintaining Ireland's historically high fish health status to ensure that the island remains free of the major infectious salmonid diseases prevalent elsewhere in the Community. Monitoring and testing programmes, together with continued controls on importations of live salmonids, are being implemented, with EC Commission approval, in the context of the internal market and resultant lifting of trade restrictions in live fish.

The prevention and control of disease is a primary objective for the Irish fish farming industry and disease incidence is being tackled through improved husbandry, stocking densities and treatments as well as research.

Considerable technical and scientific resources are provided by the Department for the monitoring of fish health and water quality at fish farm operations. In addition to diagnostic and advisory services to the industry, comprehensive monitoring and inspections are undertaken by the Department's Fish Health Unit.

All licensed fish farm operations are obliged to notify the Department of outbreaks of disease, suspected disease or abnormal mortalities within twenty four hours and to carry out instructions regarding administration of treatments and disposal of mortalities.

The preventive measures and research programmes currently being directed at minimising disease incident in both wild and farmed salmonid populations will continue to be kept under close review.