Vol. 540 No. 1
206 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will establish a monitoring group in County Monaghan to include representatives of his Department and the local IFA health committee to advise on the prevention and management of animal disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19950/01]
The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness provides, inter alia, that a monitoring committee consisting of Department, veterinary and farmer representatives will be established in each district veterinary office area to review the progress of the disease eradication programme at local level.
To date it has not been possible to put this forum on a formal basis due to the foot and mouth disease crisis. I will discuss the setting up of such committees in the context of the animal health forum. Meetings between the district veterinary offices, farmers' representatives and veterinary practitioners on disease issues take place as required in most regions on a regular basis.
