I propose to take Questions Nos. 520 and 521 together.
My Department is advised by the Marine Institute that hydrogen peroxide, as a fish disease treatment agent, readily breaks down through water and oxygen and as such represents an extremely low environmental concern. The Marine Institute has also advised that hydrogen peroxide treatments have a more favourable outcome when they are carried out at lower water temperatures.
My Department's Veterinary Inspectorate carries out an inspection programme to monitor the use of animal remedies in aquaculture premises. Compliance with animal remedies legislation is checked. While individual business operators are required to maintain records relating to the quantities of medicines used, my Department does not record empirical data on the quantities of hydrogen peroxide used.