Vol. 394 No. 8
343 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Environment if it is within his area of responsibility to control and monitor the type of drugs and chemicals used in fish farming in (a) inland lakes and waterways and (b) the sea; the controls which are at present in place regarding the use of such drugs; if he will list the chemicals and drugs in use in such fish farming operations; and if he will made a statement on the matter.
I have no statutory function in relation to the control and monitoring of chemicals and drugs used in fish farms in inland lakes and waterways and in the sea. The application of appropriate controls in this regard and the carrying out of suitable monitoring are matters for the Minister for the Marine under the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959, and the Fisheries Act, 1980.
It is a matter for planning authorities, and An Bort Pleanála in the event of appeals to attach whatever conditions are appropriate to any planning permission which may be granted in respect of fish farms in inland lakes and waters. However, such conditions are not an appropriate mechanism by which to control the use of drugs and chemicals in fish farms.
As part of the action programme for the environment which was announced on 26 January 1990, all existing fish breeding and rearing operations located in rivers, lakes or reservoirs upstream of drinking water intakes will be closed down where there is a risk to water supply.
