Matt Carthy
Question:
692. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all materials correspondence, briefings and reports relating to communication between his Department and his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive with regard to the 2020 outbreak of avian flu H6N1 will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19213/20]
View answer
It is not possible to provide a response to the Deputy in the required timeframe. I wish to advise the Deputy that a deferred reply will be issued to him in respect of this Parliamentary Question, in line with Standing Order 42A.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
As the Deputy may be aware co-operation on contingency planning and control measures for exotic disease outbreaks is an important element of the development of an all-island animal health and welfare strategy. The close co-operation between the Minister and his counterpart in Northern Ireland during the current outbreak of Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) of the H6N1 subtype is a real and tangible example of this essential collaborative approach to disease control.
There are ongoing communications between this Department and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland since outbreaks first began in Northern Ireland in January and in this jurisdiction in February of this year, with almost daily communication at the peak. To date there have been in excess of 100 communications on a number of matters relating to the outbreaks including suspect cases, epidemiology, risk assessment, disease management, culling and disposal. The outbreaks were also discussed between the Chief Veterinary Officers in both Departments.
Following an extensive examination, by officials of all communications to date between both government Departments the Department have concluded that it would not be appropriate for operational reasons to publish this material. In particular, the follow-up of these cases may be impacted by publication of these communications.
For your information I have provided a summary below of confirmed outbreaks to date, together with information in relation to Ireland’s Avian Influenza disease free status.
Summary of outbreaks under the control my Department
- The most recent case of the current outbreak of Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) of the H6N1 subtype was confirmed in a poultry flock in County Monaghan on 22/06/2020.
- This brings the total number of LPAI H6N1 outbreaks to 14
- The confirmed flocks include 11 table egg layer flocks, 2 fattening turkey flocks and 1 turkey breeder flock.
- Presenting clinical signs in affected flocks have included:
- Significant drop in egg production
- Reduced feed intake
- Mild depression (occasionally)
- Green diarrhoea (one case only)
- Slight increase in mortality
- All 14 holdings have been derestricted under the Avian Influenza Legislation as the H6N1 subtype is not included in the definition of a notifiable avian influenza at EU level.
- The majority of confirmed cases remain restricted under Irish Law and are subject to compliance with certain requirements in order to prevent further disease spread.
- Culling of birds has occurred in the case of all the flocks – note this is a commercial decision on behalf of the flock owners.
LPAI H6N1- Ireland’s avian influenza disease status is not affected
Avian influenza is defined in EU law in and the OIE Terrestrial code for the purposes of notification, control, eradication and trade. Notifiable avian influenza includes all influenza A viruses of the H5 or H7 subtypes, whether they are low pathogenic or highly pathogenic. It also includes non H5 or H7 subtypes, provided they are classified as highly pathogenic following a specific testing regime set out in the legislation.
Under these rules the H6N1 subtype of avian influenza in this case is not deemed to be notifiable to the EU or the OIE as it is not a H5 or H7 subtype and testing has confirmed that it is not highly pathogenic (this is also supported by the clinical picture). Therefore Ireland’s Avian Influenza disease status is not affected by these outbreaks
and there is no legal requirement to cull affected flocks or to introduce the same high level controls required by other notifiable subtypes of avian influenza such as H5N8 or H5N1.
However, restrictions on the movement of poultry and poultry products onto and off the site remain in place on the majority of recently affected holdings as a precautionary measure to mitigate against the spread of this disease to other locations.
