Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2013
523. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of salmon farms off the west coast that have been closed or have been allowed to go fallow over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18280/13]
View answerThe records of the Marine Institute indicate that 14 salmon production sites in counties Mayo and Galway have been fallow for the past two years.All other sites in that area which have been authorised by the Institute are in production but may be fallowed from time to time for disease control purposes. Fallowing of aquaculture sites is deemed to be best practice in the context of the control and elimination of diseases. Certain sites may also have a mandatory requirement to fallow for a certain period of time as a condition of the aquaculture license granted by my Department.
