Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:549. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16251/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 16 April 2024
Ceisteanna (549)
Freagraí scríofa
The trade and movement of plants and plant products into and within the EU is governed by the EU Plant Health Regulation 2031 of 2016 and the Official Controls Regulations 625 of 2017. These Regulations also harmonise the rules in areas such as, rules on surveillance for pests of plant health and rules on actions to be taken in the event of the confirmation of the presence of specific plant pests, including Fireblight.
My Department conducts annual plant health surveillance checks for plant pests and diseases, including the protected zone pest, Fireblight (Erwinia amylovora (Burrill) Winslow et al. ).
At confirmed outbreak locations a 500m infested zone and a 5km buffer zone are established and further intensive surveys and sampling are carried out to determine the extent of the outbreak. Under EU rules a 24-month period from the official confirmation of the presence of the pest is permitted to complete surveillance and achieve eradication, where possible.
To mitigate risk, hosts plant for the disease Erwinia amylovora (Fireblight) are subject to the following import requirements:
• Imports from another Member State are required to be notified to my Department no more than 48 hours after their arrival and plants must be accompanied by a specific Protected Zone Plant Passport which certifies that the protected zone requirements have been fulfilled.
• With the exception of certain third countries where imports are prohibited, imports from third countries are required to be pre-notified to my Department one working day in advance of the expected arrival. Consignments require a phytosanitary certificate for entry into protected zones in accordance with the requirements in Implementing Regulation 2019/2072.
Furthermore, all plants, irrespective of their origin, must be accompanied by a specific protected zone Plant Passport which certifies that the requirements of the additional protected zone requirements have been fulfilled.
Given the current demand for planting in ACRES, there are no plans to change the flexibilities provided in ACRES Circular 27 of 2023 (copy attached).