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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 23 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 7

Written Questions. - Task Force Recommendations.

Robert Molloy

Ceist:

37 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for the Marine the steps, if any, taken to date to implement the recommendations contained in the report of the task force on biotoxin contamination and monitoring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17540/95]

On the occasion of the publication of the task force report on 11 October last I announced that the report's findings and recommendations would be implemented in full. This process is now well under way. The report contains 13 recommendations which can broadly be categorised under three main headings: Emergency relief measures; new marine biotoxin action plan; consumer confidence.

Emergency relief measures

The main thrust of the task force report is aimed at putting in place measures to deal with naturally occurring biotoxin problems in the medium to long-term. The task force recognised, however, that the unprecedented toxicity problems which affected rope mussel producers, particularly in the south west in 1994, had a serious economic impact on growers and markets and that there was an urgent need in the short-term for emergency relief measures. As recommended by the task force a £100,000 emergency aid scheme has been approved to help restore industry confidence and protect employment. An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, which is administering the scheme has invited applications from affected producers, through advertisements in the specialist and regional press. The aid package is subject to EU approval which has been sought.

New Marine Biotoxin Action Plan

Key components of the plan include:

The establishment of a national marine biotoxin group to oversee implementation of the report's recommendations, to provide an ongoing forum for industry inputs and discussion with the Department's technical services and to review the results of the national monitoring programme periodically and recommend modifications as necessary.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the chairman of the task force, Mr. Pat Keogh, deputy chief executive, BIM, has agreed to chair the successor monitoring body. The composition of the group will be as recommended by the task force and will include full industry representation. Nominees have been invited from the relevant industry representative body — the Irish Aquaculture Association.
An enhanced national monitoring programme for biotoxins covering all the main shellfish growing areas in Ireland.
Pending EU harmonised testing standards, which the Department of the Marine is actively pursuing at EU level, the biological testing methods accepted by national EU authorities for end destinations will apply in future.
In particular, the biological testing method of toxin detection applicable in France, our main export market for Irish produced mussels, will become the norm in future for mussel exports to that member state. The Department's fisheries research centre has initiated the necessary preparatory work for the new recommended testing methodology.
Early warning systems anticipating closures will be strengthened to minimise disruption caused by harvesting restrictions and closures.
Targeting of future biotoxin research priorities.
Preparatory work on these recommendations has commenced.
Consumer confidence
The Department and State agencies are working to strengthen the ongoing effort to create greater public awareness and positive publicity as to the natural phenomena of biotoxicity and to reassure importers, wholesalers, caterers and consumers through implementation of the BIM quality assurance scheme. I am committed to the full implementation of the report as expeditiously as possible. The key objectives are to maintain industry, consumer and market confidence in the high health status of Irish mussels and to maximise the production and employment potential of this important industry.
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