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Aquaculture Industry.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004

Tuesday, 24 February 2004

Ceisteanna (23, 24, 25, 26)

Olwyn Enright

Ceist:

114 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will introduce new measures to police and impose sanctions on persons within the fish farming or aquaculture industry should they show blatant disregard to good practise and laws in the industry, in response to concerns expressed by an Oireachtas committee. [5829/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

128 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the frequency with which inspections are carried out on fish farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5854/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

130 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the results of his investigation into the aquaculture industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5846/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

149 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the progress made to date in regard to his Department’s comprehensive review of the existing procedures for the monitoring and control of aquaculture generally which he had indicated would be completed by the end of January 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5838/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 128, 130 and 149 together.

An extensive programme of monitoring and inspection of fish farms is undertaken by my Department with the advice and assistance of the Marine Institute. Key elements of this programme include 14 sealice inspections at each marine fish farm each year and at least one fish health inspection at each fish farm annually. Inspections of fish farms are also carried out by the engineering division of my Department. In 2003, 51 of these inspections were carried out at marine fish farm sites and 44 were undertaken at freshwater sites.

In addition, a monitoring and sampling programme for residues is carried out by the Marine Institute each year in accordance with EU Directive 96/23. The programme involves monitoring for a wide range of residues including antibiotics and environmental contaminants. Fish farm operations are also scrutinised through returns and reports that are required to be made to my Department by the companies concerned. These include, for example, reports on the benthic conditions under and adjacent to sea cages.

I have indicated to the House previously that I am committed to having effective monitoring and control systems for aquaculture so that we can be assured of having a well regulated industry operating to appropriately high standards. My Department is, therefore, in the process of undertaking a detailed review of the existing regulatory systems. This exercise is now at an advanced stage and will be finalised shortly. The review will consider, in particular, how existing systems and processes may need to be refined or reinforced to ensure the optimal operation of monitoring and control programmes. It will address also what action, if any, is required in respect of enforcement measures and procedures. If it is apparent, following the review, that changes are required to legislation or procedures or practices, then these changes will be introduced without delay.

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