Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 2003

Vol. 573 No. 3

Written Answers. - Poultry Disease Outbreak.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

239 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures that are in place to prevent the spread to Ireland of the poultry disease histomanos meleagradis which affects turkeys in particular; the co-operation on this matter with the authorities in the Six Counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25645/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Blackhead is a protozoan parasitic disease of poultry which can lead to economic losses and mortalities in affected flocks. It has no significant public health implications.

The Dutch authorities have recently indicated to the European Commission that there have been outbreaks of this disease in a small number of turkey farms in the Netherlands. I understand that there have also been outbreaks of this disease in France, Germany and Belgium.

Blackhead disease is not on the OIE list of class A diseases and outbreaks in member states of the European Union do not give rise to European Commission safeguard decisions prohibiting exports of eggs, poultry meat or live poultry from affected states. However, I advise that Irish operators importing live poultry from any of the member states in which cases have been reported should, as a precaution, seek appropriate assurances in relation to the disease from those from whom they are importing their stock.

My Department maintains ongoing contacts with Northern Ireland authorities in relation to animal health issues.