Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 May 2021
299. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider setting up a permanent compensation fund in order to protect the poultry sector from losses due to ongoing disease outbreaks that have intensified over the past number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24941/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is continuing to engage with the Poultry Working Group (PWG) regarding its proposal for establishing a disease aid fund for the poultry sector. My officials met again with the PWG at the end of April and have proposed dates for further meetings with the PWG in May and June. The PWG is working hard on behalf of the sector and has been very pro-active in engaging with my Department on this matter.
I fully understand the sector’s aim to seek mitigation, in so far as is possible, of the disease risks that their members face. I would like to highlight that some excellent supports are already in place for a number of important diseases for the sector, including High Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Salmonella.
Department officials continue to examine the additional measures that could potentially be utilised within the EU State Aid Regulations, to establish a funding support system for the sector in the face of poultry disease challenges.
The importance of improving biosecurity at farm level to prevent disease outbreaks in the first place cannot be overlooked. The Department has made available, at no cost to the poultry producer, biosecurity risk assessments, which are delivered by Animal Health Ireland trained veterinary practitioners, for commercial broiler and layer units. The set of recommendations provided guides the producer on how to improve the standard of biosecurity on the farm and reduce the likelihood of disease incursion. “Prevention is better than cure” is a cornerstone of Animal Health Policy.
The Department has also expressed its support in principle for the establishment of a health programme for the poultry sector operated by Animal Health Ireland; this would operate in partnership with the poultry sector, and has excellent potential to improve the overall health of the national flock, as well as the standard of biosecurity on farms, thus reducing the risk of disease outbreaks.
