Michael Ring
Ceist:38 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the action, if any, he has taken to prevent the spread of infectious salmon anaemia to this country. [3726/99]
Written Answers. - Salmon Disease.
The Department is monitoring closely the situation in relation to the viral disease infectious salmon anaemia, ISA, which occurred in Scotland in spring 1998, and is working, with the Irish salmon farming industry and BIM to ensure that all possible preventive measures are in place.
From the outset the Scottish Office has been supplying information on the outbreak and it has also assured my Department that EU legislation on the placing on the market of farmed fish in the event of an outbreak of this kind was being enforced and that every effort was being made to prevent the disease spreading to non-affected areas. Officials of the Department, BIM and the Irish industry met with representatives of the Scottish Office in autumn 1998 to examine at first hand the details of the measures being undertaken to combat and prevent the spread of ISA.
The IFA fish farming section has developed a code of practice in co-operation with BIM and the Department for the sector as well as for fishermen, vets and fish processors. The processing sector has also been specifically alerted to the potential risks of ISA posed by salmon imports. The code of practice details specific precautionary measures to be observed by the industry aimed at preventing the importation of ISA to this country.
My Department, BIM and the Irish salmon industry are maintaining close contact with Scottish Office officials and the Scottish industry to ensure full exchange of information on developments there. The situation is being kept under close review, and was collectively reviewed by the aquaculture industry forum this week, and the need for additional preventive measures will continue to be assessed on an ongoing basis.