Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2017
370. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to commission an independent review of his Department's sea lice monitoring programme to ensure accurate testing is taking place in view of the severe sea lice infestations on salmon farms in Scotland at present. [47818/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Ireland the 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.
