Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2024
397. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that have been taken by his Department currently to eradicate fireblight erwinia amylovora infections in 2023, in the most significant outbreak believed to be throughout a Kerry townland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5326/24]
View answerPromoting and safeguarding plant health is a key strategic principle of the Plant Health and Biosecurity Strategy 2020-2025.
Within the EU, plant health, including plant pest outbreaks, is governed by Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 on protective measures against pests of plants.
At fireblight outbreak sites, a “demarcated area” consisting of a 500m “infested zone” and a 5km “buffer zone” is established in accordance with the Regulations. Delimiting surveys are conducted to establish the true extent of the outbreak. Delimiting surveys in some cases will resume during the Spring of 2024, when the growing season resumes.
Under EU plant health rules, a 24-month period from the official confirmation of the presence of the pest is permitted to complete surveillance and achieve eradication, where possible. Eradication measures are set out in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine plant health generic contingency plan which are available on the Department's website.
