Vol. 516 No. 4
16 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has received clarification of the epidemiological report from France about the outbreaks of illness allegedly attributed to the consumption of mussels exported from this country; and if he will give details of the findings. [7909/00]
Officials of my Department have been in regular contact with the French authorities since January 1999 in connection with the epidemiological report received on two outbreaks of illness allegedly associated with the consumption of mussels exported from Ireland in 1998. I am advised by the Department that in all follow up to date the French authorities have reiterated its position on all aspects of the epidemiological findings and related testing of Irish mussel products following the episodes in question. The advice to me is that at this stage there is no further data which can usefully be provided by the French authorities.
The key strategic priority is to ensure Irish biotoxin sampling, monitoring and testing systems are to the highest and consistent standard in the interests of the consumer and Irish shellfish producers and exporters. My Department is working with the FSAI, BIM and the Marine Institute and with the industry on a range of initiatives which will ensure maximum confidence and traceability for our shellfish products.
In a reply on 25 November last, the Minister indicated that he was awaiting certain aspects of the epidemiological findings of the French authorities. Is he saying, therefore, in the context of the original reply, that he has all those aspects with regard to the report? Did it establish that the two cases of shellfish poisoning could be attributed to the mussels in question?
In relation to the last point, I do not want to suggest that I would hide anything, but perhaps I could discuss that with the Deputy later.
I indicated in November that I would travel to France to extricate the information we required. Irrespective of whether that acted as a lever, we got all the information we asked for and it was useful to us. It was sad for the producers. However, lessons were learned by the industry and by ourselves in relation to the monitoring of biotoxins. Our whole system was fragmented and consistency was not what it should be. We have now appointed new people and I hope there will be consistency and a level of staff such as will prevent this happening again.
I am glad the issue has been brought to a finality but this side criticised the French authorities for the delay in processing the matter and bringing it to a conclusion.
