Vol. 577 No. 3
165 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will consider a complete ban on all potato imports until such time as appropriate measures are put in place here to deal with the outbreak of ring rot in mid-Wales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30782/03]
Measures to be taken to prevent the occurrence of ring rot are laid down in EU Council Directive 93/85/EEC. My Department officials are following these procedures, and Ireland has availed of the stricter measures which may be applied to combat the introduction of the disease. The situation to date would not warrant trade disrupting measures. The outbreak of ring rot in Wales is being closely monitored in conjunction with UK ministry officials and Department of Agriculture officials in Northern Ireland.
