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Poultry Industry.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2004

Wednesday, 18 February 2004

Questions (89)

Gay Mitchell

Question:

158 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding the outbreak of avian influenza in Asia; the steps being taken by the European Union to prevent the spread of this disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4315/04]

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Written answers

The continuing presence of avian influenza in Asia is being monitored closely by the European Commission and also by my Department. With the rapidly changing situation in Asia the European Commission is constantly reviewing safeguard measures as adopted in Commission decisions 2004/84/EC and 2004/93/EC.

On 3 February 2004, the standing committee on the food chain and animal health voted to adopt Commission decision 2004/122/EC, which places a ban on the importation from Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Pakistan, the People's Republic of China, including the territory of Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam of: all live birds, including birds accompanying their owners, that is, pet birds; fresh meat of poultry, ratites, wild and farmed feathered game; meat preparations and meat products consisting of, or containing, meat of those species mentioned above; raw material for pet food production; eggs for human consumption; and unprocessed feathers and parts of feathers.

The only products that are allowed to be imported are poultry meat and game-meat meat products from Thailand slaughtered before 1 January 2004; and poultry meat and game-meat meat products from Thailand that have undergone a heat treatment process. I emphasise that prior to the outbreak of avian influenza in Asia, the only imports of poultry related products from the countries affected were poultry meat from Thailand and processed feathers from the People's Republic of China. The scientific evidence available to date suggests that close contact with live infected birds constitutes by far the greatest risk of transmission of the avian influenza virus to humans. None of the countries currently affected with avian influenza are authorised by the European Commission to export live poultry to the European Union.

In addition to the measures being implemented at European level, at national level my Department is engaged in collaboration with the Department of Health and Children and the National Disease Surveillance Centre, NDSC, on updating the influenza pandemic preparedness plan; establishing further contacts between those involved in combating human and animal influenzas; the training of veterinary staff on avian influenza aspects and emergency slaughter; the preparation of posters and newspaper advertisements for travellers going to, and from Asia; and collaboration with the NDSC on advice for poultry workers in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza. Leaflets have been sent out to all poultry flock owners which provide advice on biosecurity measures and clinical signs of avian influenza.

In addition to the above, the following measures are already in place: a contingency plan in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza; guidelines on public health precautions to be taken during avian influenza investigations or controls; announcements on incoming flights and in the baggage reclaim area for people who have had contact with livestock including poultry to contact the Department's office in the arrivals hall; an existing ban on the importation from third countries of meat and meat products in personal baggage, other than proprietary brand infant food or special food for medical reasons which does not require refrigeration and is in packaging that is unbroken; and ongoing surveillance of avian influenza in poultry and wild birds

Implementation of the measures mentioned above, along with the combined efforts and resources of the international community significantly reduce the threat of avian influenza spreading further afield.

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