Written Answers Nos. 1-13
8. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for data on the prevalence of Bonamia Ostreae in shellfish in Irish coastal waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41358/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraBonamia ostreae, a parasitic organism that gives rise to Bonamiosis in oysters, has been present in native Irish oysters (Ostrea edulis) since the 1980s. It is widespread within Europe and also in the USA and Canada. The parasite was first diagnosed in Cork Harbour in 1987 following the detection of significant losses in native oysters. How or precisely when the parasite was introduced is unknown.
Subsequent to that, the pathogen spread steadily along the western seaboard to many of our native oyster growing areas. The exact route of spread is unknown but movement of infected animals, equipment and boats are all possible vectors.
Localised wild oyster beds have shown significant mortality (up to 80-90%). Other beds in the same infected areas have shown very little mortality. However, the most recent information available for these sites shows much lower, but still variable, rates of mortality.
The only areas with significant populations of native oysters that remain free of the parasite are Tralee Bay and Kilkieran Bay (Co. Galway). The Marine Institute operates a surveillance programme in these bays; consisting of annual sampling and testing. The programme has been running since the early ‘90s.
The pathogen is listed in Council Directive 2006/88/EC (On animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof, and on the prevention and control of certain diseases in aquatic animals) and by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Infection with the organism is, therefore, reportable and infected stocks are subject to control measures. Strict movement controls are in place in Ireland and it is mandatory to notify either suspicion of the presence of the disease to the Marine Institute or to report the presence of increased mortality in susceptible populations - in this case, the native oyster.
12. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the Roxborough and Derrybrien West commonage lands, the reason he did not apply his Department's inspection findings from the inspections undertaken in or around October 2013, the findings of which he sought to apply without notice or right of appeal to the shareholders in October 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41242/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decisions taken in this case were based on advice provided to my office by the Legal Services Division of my Department and therefore I cannot comment on this matter.
13. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure fairness and transparency in the on-farm inspection regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41237/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, in the context of delivering the Basic Payment Scheme, the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme and other area related schemes, is required to carry out an annual round of inspections. These cover both the eligibility of the land declared to draw down payments and also cross compliance aspects, to ensure adherence with EU regulatory requirements in the areas of public, animal and plant health, environment and animal welfare and ensuring that the farm is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition. The basis for these inspections is governed by EU legislation and there are certain minimum numbers and types of inspections that must be conducted each year. Details of these inspections and the regulations involved are published in the Terms and Conditions of the schemes which are sent to every applicant annually. These inspections are a necessary requirement in order to draw down approximately €1.7 billion of EU funds annually and to avoid EU disallowances. The inspections are subject to repeated audits by the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors and the Comptroller and Auditor General’s Office and this ensures an independent verification that inspections are conducted in full compliance with the legal requirements. In abiding with the findings of these audits my Department ensures that these inspections are conducted in a fair and equitable manner and in full accordance with the legislative provisions. Furthermore the Department’s inspecting officers are very experienced and are regularly trained to ensure that they carry out inspections in a professional manner. In implementing the inspection programme, my Department also takes maximum possible account of the realities of farming.
Of equal importance is the fact that appropriate appeal mechanisms are in place to protect the interests of farmers if they have difficulties with the inspection findings or if they consider that the inspection has not been conducted in accordance with legislative requirements. Under this process a farmer may initially seek to have the inspection outcome reviewed internally by an officer more senior than the inspecting officer. Where the farmer remains dissatisfied, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office and ultimately to the Office of the Ombudsman, both of which bring an entirely external and visibly independent dimension to the process.
