Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 September 2022
318. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the additional funding that has been allocated for the purposes of dealing with the avian flu outbreak; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45272/22]
View answerDue to the unpredictable nature of Avian Influenza (AI) it is not possible to anticipate in advance the amount of funding that might be required to both control and stamp out the disease, and cover any compensation that might accrue to flock owners. As I’m sure the Deputy is aware there were six outbreaks in 2021, all in the Cavan/Monaghan area, in 2020 there was a single outbreak in Co. Wicklow and prior to that the most recent case of notifiable AI in poultry occurred in 2012.
Funding to deal with AI outbreaks in 2021 and 2022 were absorbed by the Department’s annual allocations. Any possible requirement for funding later this year will be monitored closely on an ongoing basis. A decision on the funding required for any possible outbreaks in 2023 will be made in the context of the ongoing 2023 Estimates process.
The presence of AI in wild bird populations currently poses a higher risk than previously present at this time of year. For that reason, anyone travelling from an area known or suspected to be affected with avian influenza or where wild birds have been found dead should not come into contact with poultry/captive birds without prior cleaning and disinfection of clothing and footwear. Furthermore, poultry owners and keepers of captive birds are urged to maintain the highest standards of bio-security to protect their flocks.
Strict bio-security remains the number one preventative measure to introduction of avian influenza into poultry and captive bird flocks. I will be working closely with stakeholder again this year to ensure that we can work collaboratively and taken any measures necessary to protect our poultry industry. Further information on bio-security and other advice/guidance is available on my Department’s website.
