Poultry Industry.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2006

Thursday, 23 February 2006

Ceisteanna (129)

Dan Neville

Ceist:

125 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her Department at any time compensated for the slaughter of poultry following an outbreak of mycoplasma gallisepticum. [7563/06]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

My Department has not previously paid compensation following an outbreak of mycoplasma gallisepticum. Compensation is normally paid only where my Department requires the compulsory slaughter of a herd or flock, which it does not in the case of an outbreak of mycoplasma gallisepticum. When this particular disease is detected in the commercial poultry industry, it is normal practice for the producer to have the flock slaughtered on a voluntary basis at their own expense.