Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2017
587. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the situation with regard to the impact of emergency regulations put in place to tackle avian influenza to free range status poultry farmers in counties Cavan and Monaghan; if he will ensure free range producers do not lose their status simply due to the fact they complied with a compulsory directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7269/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU Regulations on the marketing standards for eggs and poultrymeat set down minimum requirements that must be met in order to use the term “Free Range”, including rules around access to the range. The EU Regulations also provide for situations where veterinary restrictions are imposed to protect public and animal health, as is the case currently in Ireland, whereby eggs and poultrymeat may continue to be marketed as “Free Range” for the duration of the restriction but not for more than 12 weeks. In Ireland, the 12 week period expires on the 17th of March 2017.
The situation in respect of free range poultry producers is being kept under careful review in consultation with the European Commission and Member States.
On 23rd January, the Commission was asked by Member States to consider extending the “12 week derogation” during which time birds or more over their products, subject to a confinement/housing order, can continue to be marketed as free range. However, the Commission did not agree to table a proposal to extend the derogation.
In view of the foregoing, officials in my Department are considering all options available to ensure that the needs of producers and consumers are met in light of the housing restrictions currently in force in Ireland. The requirement to confine birds itself is also being kept under constant review. Currently, the risk of introduction of HPAI H5N8 by wild birds into poultry flocks remains high and this requirement remains in place.
