108 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the additional precautions, if any, which are being taken at his Department to safeguard poultry stock from the outbreak of Newcastle poultry disease in Northern Ireland. [4725/97]

112 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the measures, if any, he is taking to minimise the risk from Newcastle poultry disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4788/97]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 112 together.

There are currently eight confirmed outbreaks of Newcastle disease in poultry in Northern Ireland. Newcastle disease is a highly infectious disease, which affects poultry, pigeons and other birds. While it can cause a high level of mortality amongst poultry, it does not pose any human health risk.

Areas around the infected holdings have been declared infected areas and the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland has imposed movement restrictions, including prohibitions on export of poultry, hatching eggs and poultry products originating within these areas, as well as slaughtering those flocks affected.