Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
1904. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to an outbreak of botulism on a farm in County Kildare in February 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32939/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1905. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department carried out an investigation to establish the facts surrounding an outbreak of botulism on a farm in County Kildare in February 2018; if the investigation has concluded; if so, if the findings of the investigation will be made available to the parties concerned, the landowner and the herdowner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32940/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1904 and 1905 together.
As part of controls on the poultry sector, my Department carries out certain inspections of poultry units to monitor compliance with the requirements of the Animal By-Products, ABP, Regulations as they relate to the proper disposal of dead poultry and the disposal of manure. Poultry producers are required to ensure that litter does not contain any residual poultry carcases. Transporters of poultry litter/manure are required to be registered as ABP transporters with the Department. Transporters must keep records, including the details of the place of origin of the material they are transporting and the place of destination.
My Department also undertakes follow-up investigations in situations where poultry litter is suspected of being the source of a botulism outbreak to ensure that adequate measures are being taken to prevent outbreaks - on the farm where the poultry litter is being spread, by the poultry litter haulier and on the poultry units that supplied the poultry litter.
My Department is fully aware of the botulism incident referred to in the question. A thorough investigation is currently underway and is not yet concluded. Therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further on the matter at this stage.
My Department has drawn up Codes of Good Practice for poultry farmers, poultry litter hauliers and end-users of poultry litter, providing advice in relation to the management, transport and use of poultry litter in order to minimise the risks of contamination of pasture to cattle on the end user’s farm and neighbouring farms. These and other information in relation to botulism are available on the DAFM website at this link: https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/diseasecontrol/botulism.
