Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 1

Written Answers - Wildlife Protection.

John Gormley

Question:

482 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the current plague of giant Californian bullfrogs, Rana Catesbeiana, introduced illegally into France 20 years ago, and the devastating effect it is having on indigenous species; the measures her Department can take to avoid the introduction of such a destructive species; if there are fines for those that do introduce such species; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12063/01]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

The American bullfrog, rana catesbiana, is a native of North America and was subsequently introduced into the Carribean and then Europe. It is comparatively large in size growing to between 3.5 and eight inches. The species is both aggressive and carnivorous, feeding on anything it can swallow including insects, crayfish, small fish, other frogs and also birds and snakes. I am advised that the species poses an ecological threat to native species in both France and Italy.

International and domestic legislation governs the importation ofrana catesbiana. The European Commission has recognised the threat of rana catesbiana to European species by including it on annex B of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2724/2000 on the protection of species of wild flora and fauna, whereby it may not be imported from outside the EU into any EU country including Ireland without prior issue of a permit. Currently, a further control is provided under the Wildlife Act, 1976 – SI 296 of 1989 (Control of Importation of Wild Animals and Wild Birds), Regulations, 1989 – which prohibit the importation into Ireland of live wild animals or their eggs or spawn including rana catesbiana save under licence. It is an offence under the Wildlife Act, 1976, to breach these regulations and the Act provides for fines of £50 for a first offence rising to £200 in the case of a third or subsequent offence. However, the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000, provides for substantially increased penalties on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or imprisonment for 12 months or to both. On conviction on indictment a fine not exceeding £50,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both, may be imposed. The Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000 also provides that any person who wilfully turns loose or causes to escape any species of wild animal except under licence from me as Minister shall also be guilty of an offence. I have also specific powers under both the Wildlife Act, 1976, as amended, and the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997, to specifically prohibit the importation or introduction of non-native species which may be detrimental to native species.

I understand that the European Commission is considering the commissioning of research into addressing the issue ofrana catesbiana already present in the EU. In relation to Ireland I am not aware that rana catesbiana is present in the wild in this country. However, I am advised that its illegal introduction would present only a limited threat to native species as the bullfrog would find it difficult to establish itself in the wild in Ireland because climatic conditions do not favour its breeding here. Any reports of illegal importation should be made to Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department where they will be investigated.