Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 3

Adjournment Debate. - Importation of Oysters.

Miss Quill

I thank the Minister, Deputy O'Sullivan, for taking this matter this evening. What is at stake here is of the utmost importance not alone to the future of the shellfish industry but to the fishing and food industries. I will confine my remarks this evening to the specific item under discussion. There is an important niche in the French market for Irish oysters, which are regarded as prestigious in French restaurants, highly rated and priced. The oyster export industry to France is a very important part of our overall export industry. It is an industry that should be jealously guarded as it has has potential for further development and expansion. Chief among our assets is the clean, clear water along our coastline. When something happens to put that asset in jeopardy we must sit up and take notice and action.

It is of the utmost importance that proper precautions are taken to guarantee that the movement of stock between EC member states is disease and pest free. Moreover when it emerges, as it has quite recently, that stocks are infected all due steps must be taken, not alone to halt further imports from suspect infected sources but also, and equally important, to remove from Irish waters all traces of infected specimens. This is of critical importance if we are to retain our reputation, protect our shellfish industry and maintain and expand our markets. The problem that gives rise to the issue in question stems from the discovery of a parasite, mysticola orientalis, and toxic cysts in recent consignments of part-grown Pacific oysters from France. This parasite seriously affects the growth of species.

If the French shellfish industry wishes to continue with its plans in relation to part-grown oysters in the clear waters of the Irish coastline, this matter must be fully investigated and cleared up. I ask the Minister to address the following questions which are of grave concern to me. Will he fully clarify the reason importation of partly-grown oysters from France is currently suspended? What are the implications for the Irish oyster industry arising from these imports? What steps are being taken to remove the offending oysters and other such species from Irish waters? It is fundamentally important to suspend imports until the matter is resolved but it is equally important to ensure that all traces of diseased or infected specimen is removed from our waters for the obvious reasons that the disease can spread and do untold, indeed irreparable, damage. I am asking the Minister to point out the procedures to be put in place to protect the industry from the importation of diseased species. What is the policy in relation to the payment of grant aid to persons who breach these procedures?

Mr. G. O'Sullivan

I thank Deputy Quill for raising this important matter. The Department recognise that it is a matter of urgency. Under the terms of EC Directive 91/67, barriers to trade in live aquaculture animals are to be eliminated while ensuring that infectious fish diseases are not spread to areas of the Community previously free of such diseases. The Directive applies to all fish and shellfish, whether farmed or wild, intended for ongrowing or for human consumption.

The importation of Pacific oysters, technically known as gigas, from France to Ireland was not permitted prior to the introduction of the Single Market. This longstanding ban had been imposed to minimise the risk of spreading the oyster disease bonamia in native Irish oysters. The disease has occurred in certain areas in the past.

European Community scientific experts have concluded that bonamia is not carried by Pacific oysters but is carried by native oysters.

Under the terms of the Directive, therefore, the free movement of Pacific oysters between member states is now permitted if approved from a fish health point of view. Consignments must be certified as meeting the necessary health requirements. In addition, consignments must be certified as having been checked at the place of dispatch to ensure that they do not contain species other than gigas. This is to ensure that native oysters or other shellfish species are not being carried in the consignment. A copy of this movement document must be forwarded to the Department of the Marine, prior to importation. The movement document must accompany the consignment at all times. IFREMER is the French Government research body responsible for checking and certifying the French consignments.

Consignments of Pacifics imported from France to Ireland since 1 January last have been sampled by officials of the Department and the samples extensively tested at the Department's fisheries research centre. The results of this sampling programme have given rise to some concern.

In accordance with the Aquaculture Directive and the EC Veterinary Checks Directive 90/425, the Department formally notified the EC Commission, the French authorities and other national authorities on 22 March that checks on consignments of Pacifics from France had disclosed irregularities.

Specifically, native oysters and slipper limpets have been detected during checks carried out by Department inspectors and validated by the Department's fisheries research centre. A comprehensive schedule setting out our findings to date has been sent to the French authorities and the EC Commission.

The French authorities have been urgently requested to take all necessary measures to ensure consignment compatibility with certification; to notify Ireland of the measures taken; to explain these irregularities, and to elaborate on the checking procedures at dispatch points and the basis upon which certification was issued.

Pending resolution of these concerns, the Department has advised operators temporarily to postpone further importations from France to Ireland. The Irish Shellfish Association has been advised of this decision. The Commission and other member states are being kept closely informed of all developments. If the outcome of bilateral negotiations with the French authorities does not satisfy our concerns, we have requested the Commission to take the necessary next steps under the terms of the Directive. These will include on site investigations by Commission veterinary experts.

The question of the removal from farm sites of recently imported Pacific oysters is being considered in light of the outcome of ongoing sampling by the Department's technical staff, bilateral contacts with the French authorities, discussion with the EC Commission and the other member states within the framework of the relevant Directives.

The valuable contribution of shellfish production to employment in coastal regions and to the export trade goes hand in hand with the need to protect the Irish shellfish industry from potential disease risks. We have, therefore, taken a strongly precautionary approach to Pacific imports from France. What is needed now is a breathing space to evaluate fully, in conjunction with the French authorities and the EC Commission, the findings of sampling carried out to date and the implications in both the medium and long term for the oyster-growing sector of the Irish aquaculture industry.

Decisions will be taken in the light of the outcome of current discussions within the EC and on the basis of the best technical advice available to me. I will try to answer directly the Deputy's other questions on funding and so on.

Miss Quill

It is very important that specimens be removed as quickly as possible.

Mr. G. O'Sullivan

That is being done at the moment.