Denis Naughten
Question:28. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to develop an all-island animal health regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42982/14]
View answerWednesday, 12 November 2014
Questions (28)
Written answers
There is already a substantial degree of harmonisation of the veterinary regimes on the island of Ireland, particularly in view of the fact that the bulk of the animal health and welfare measures implemented on the island are based on EU legislation. The main objective of the North-South strategy in the animal health and welfare area is to establish equivalent internal arrangements on both sides of the Border with a view to achieving freer movement of animals and animal products within the island.
There is ongoing co-operation between my Department and its counterpart in Northern Ireland through the dedicated working groups established under the North-South arrangements to further this objective. Under these arrangements, a formal structure is in place whereby working groups meet to focus on critical issues such as disease control, animal identification and movement, cross-Border communication, data sharing and the development of joint initiatives on animal welfare. Agreed communication procedures and contacts between the two Departments have been put in place, in the event of a suspect or outbreak of disease on either side of the Border. Both sides commit to letting the unaffected side know as soon as possible so that matching control measures can be immediately put in place.
With regard to those diseases which are not harmonised at EU level, I believe that the Northern Ireland decision to establish a body with a similar remit to that of Animal Health Ireland should help to progress cross-Border co-operation in this area. There is clearly an all Ireland recognition of the potential to improve the competitiveness of the farming sector through tackling production diseases.