Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2017
483. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the poultry sector with particular reference to threats to the industry; the degree to which potential for growth remains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41952/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department monitors trends in the poultry industry by continuously horizon scanning and proactively working to identify threats. This approach is supported by robust official controls at multiple levels along the food chain. Growth trends in the poultry sector indicate a continued trajectory of sustained, steady growth, consistent with previous years.
The poultry industry is a key element of the valuable agrifood industry, with the sector worth over €200 million in 2016. The industry plays a very valuable role in job creation and retention particularly in regional areas. Threats from significant diseases such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease are monitored continuously, and the industry is updated with disease alerts when outbreaks occur in poultry or cases are detected in wild birds (as happened with highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 during the migratory bird season in 2016/2017). The Department produces a wide variety of information leaflets for industry on specific diseases, control measures and biosecurity. This information is communicated in a variety of ways to the poultry industry, e.g. meetings, website, mailshots.
Domestic consumer demand remains strong for Irish poultry meat and eggs and this has led to a steady increase in domestic production. Overall, poultry meat production for 2016 increased by approximately 14.6% year on year to c. 92 million birds, with industry expecting production to exceed over 100 million birds this year. Between 2006 and 2016, consumer awareness of Bord Bia's Quality Mark has grown from 62% to 91% in 2016; the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Scheme has a key role to play in ensuring Irish product retain their key position in the domestic market. Additionally, poultry meat exports in 2016 amounted to 119,259 tonnes valued at €258 million and my Department is engaged with competent authorities in third countries to expand market access.
