2663. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of poultry holdings on which birds were compulsorily destroyed, or where destruction was directed by his Department, arising from a confirmed or suspected detection of salmonella; the number of birds destroyed in each year, broken down by species; the number of cases in which the relevant statutory notice was subsequently withdrawn, modified or annulled, including following an appeal; the number of cases in which compensation or other financial assistance was paid; and the total amount paid, for each of the years 2015 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [60634/26]

Only certain types of poultry holdings are subject to compulsory slaughter directed by my Department in relation to salmonella, in line with EU legislation. These are broiler breeder flocks, broiler breeder rearer flocks, turkey breeder flocks and turkey breeder rearer flocks. My Department applies to the EU for funds every three years and allocates funding annually for the compensation of poultry flocks via a scheme of financial assistance in cases of zoonotic Salmonella spp. outbreaks in certain poultry on an ex gratia basis. Only breeding farms and table egg layers are included in this scheme. Legislation precludes the placing on the market of table eggs from flocks infected with Salmonella spp., including duck eggs. Co-financing is not available for duck flocks as they are not covered by EU regulation 2160/2003.

On the question of statutory notices, one compliance notice was modified and another annulled as a result of a court ruling during the period specified. A total of 11 broiler breeding flocks and 16 layer flocks (including duck layers) were destroyed between 2015 and to-date in 2026. As the total number of poultry holdings concerned are in low single figures, it is not possible to provide data by year on the number of holdings and the number of birds held therein as this may inadvertently identify individual flock-keepers. The totals paid in compensation each year from 2015 to date in 2026 are presented below.

*note that compensation may be paid in a different year to the year of destruction of the flock