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Agriculture Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2021

Tuesday, 19 October 2021

Questions (931)

Colm Burke

Question:

931. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date in respect of proposals for the inclusion of the Irish poultry sector under the remit of an organisation (details supplied) which includes beef and sheep only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50724/21]

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Written answers

The Department has been engaging with the poultry sector to make progress on this issue and has expressed its support in principle for the establishment of a health programme for the poultry sector delivered by the organisation mentioned. This would operate in partnership with the poultry sector and has excellent potential to improve the overall health of the national flock, as well as the standard of biosecurity on farms, thus reducing the risk of disease outbreaks.

The organisation's programmes operate on the public private partnership principle which would see funding from the poultry sector being matched by funding provided by the Department.   

The Deputy will be aware that the Department currently provides a significant level of publicly-funded support to the poultry sector.

- The National Poultry Health Programme (PHP) for the detection of Avian Influenza, Mycoplasma and Salmonella. 

- The EU Poultry Surveillance Scheme of testing for Avian Influenza .

- Surveillance carried out as part of the National Salmonella Control Programme

- The national passive surveillance system which requires mandatory disease reporting to DAFM.

- A fully funded independent farm biosecurity assessment, for broiler and layer farmers currently delivered under the TASAH programme.

- A fully funded National Residue Control Programme supporting market access for poultry products.

- Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) grant aid available up to 60% for eligible young farmers and 40% for all other farmers.

- Compensation measures in place for poultry farms depopulated as a result of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

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