2480. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the regulations, inspection protocols and guidance currently in place for the prevention and control of fly infestations originating from intensive poultry farms; whether these are considered sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54956/26]

2481. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans to introduce mandatory fly management plans for intensive poultry units, similar to those required or recommended in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54957/26]

2482. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to introducing statutory requirements for routine fly monitoring, record keeping and reporting by operators of intensive poultry facilities; and if he will outline any such proposals. [54958/26]

2483. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of complaints relating to fly infestations associated with poultry farms received by his Department in each of the past five years, by county; the number of inspections carried out; the number of non-compliances identified; the enforcement actions taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54959/26]

2484. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has undertaken any review of international best practice, including the UK Environment Agency’s Fly Management Guidance, with a view to strengthening Irish policy; and if he will publish the findings of any such review. [54960/26]

2485. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine the introduction of statutory response times for investigating complaints relating to significant fly infestations arising from intensive agricultural operations, including timeframes for inspections, written findings and follow-up enforcement actions. [54963/26]

2486. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider introducing a statutory code of practice on fly prevention and control for intensive poultry production, including requirements relating to manure management, ventilation, biological control, insecticide resistance management, monitoring and community engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54964/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2480 to 2486, inclusive, together.

I have to inform the Deputy that fly infestations are not under my remit as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and consequently data on inspections, recording of non-compliances and enforcement actions with respect to fly infestations are not available and statutory responsibility for same does not rest with My Department.

We do not have statutory codes of practice on fly infestation but potential fly infestation on poultry farms is mitigated by standard biosecurity practices which are subject to supervision by My Department. Intensive poultry production systems are generally maintained in bio-secure housing. As part of the National Farmed Animal Biosecurity Strategy, a collaboration between DAFM, AHI and Industry Stakeholders, my Department has provided Biosecurity Codes of Practice and Good Farming Practices for sectors, including poultry. The biosecurity code of practice for poultry production includes a requirement for the appropriate maintenance of the surrounds of poultry houses to ensure they are free from debris and vegetation which can encourage fly population growth. There is also an issue of seasonality regarding fly population expansion, with warm and moist conditions attracting an increase of flies on all livestock systems, with a prevalence in terms of poultry facilities. Fly population growth in the community by factors such as pollution, littering etc, are normally inspected by the local authorities and/or the EPA in the first instance to determine the likely cause. If initial investigations by the local authorities and or EPA are indicative of a failure to adhere to legislative standards in a facility supervised by my Department, it will be fully investigated. There are currently no plans by My Department to introduce a statutory requirement for fly monitoring and record keeping in poultry production systems.