Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2017
428. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will accord Inland Fisheries Ireland a formal role in his Department's sea lice control system in view of the damage to wild salmon stocks from sea lice infestation on salmon farms. [40387/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe control of sea lice is managed by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State. These protocols are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons:
- The inspection regime is totally independent of the industry.
- Data obtained as a result of inspection is published and made widely available.
- Treatment trigger levels are set at a low level.
The sea lice monitoring and control programme in Ireland has been acknowledged by the Environment Directorate (DG Environment) of the EU Commission as representing international best practice and, accordingly, changing the current arrangement would not be warranted or appropriate.
