I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 210 together.
Since the initial discovery of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease 2 (RHD2) in wild rabbits and hares in August 2019, National Parks & Wildlife Service staff of my Department have continued to monitor for the disease with the assistance of colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM). Reports of suspected cases have been followed up and carcasses submitted to DAFM’s Regional Veterinary Laboratories for testing. Although dedicated surveys have not been possible, the available evidence suggests that RHD2 remains primarily a disease of rabbits, with some limited spill-over into hares. Furthermore, the total number of reports has declined noticeably in 2021. On this basis there are grounds for some cautious optimism that RHD2 may not have the potentially significant impact on the hare population that was initially feared. The exclusion zone was reduced to reflect this reality.
The limited data available does not indicate that a local outbreak of RHD2 in rabbits leads to an outbreak in hares in the area. On this basis exclusion zones do not arise following the discovery of infected rabbits.
My Department's officials have found no evidence that the disease mentioned (form of myxomatosis) has arrived in Ireland but will continue to monitor suspicious deaths. My officials will continue to work closely with colleagues in the regional laboratories and virology unit of DAFM in relation to testing for diseases in hares.
The control of live hare coursing is carried out under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. My responsibility relates to the conservation status of the hare and my Department issues licences required under the terms of the Wildlife Acts to facilitate the netting and tagging of hares. There is no plan to revoke the licences issued.
