Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2005
689 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the banning of wild fowling for the 2005-06 season owing to concerns surrounding the spread of the avian flu pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30742/05]
View answerI do not consider such a prohibition to be warranted at present. However, the position is being kept under review. My Department, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Food, is considering possible additional measures that may need to be taken should the virus reach western Europe, including limiting or stopping the hunting of wild birds. The timing and scale of any such measures will depend on ongoing assessment of the level of risk to be addressed.
