Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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1919. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure stocking densities are being adhered to on pig and poultry farms; the efforts he has made in respect of reducing the overcrowding that leads to poor hygiene and increases the need for antibiotics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20704/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Officials from my Department carry out welfare inspections on pig and poultry farms as required by law. Pig welfare inspections are carried out under Council Directive 2008/120 transposed into S.I. 311 of 2010. Broiler welfare inspections are carried out under Council Directive 2007/43 transposed into S.I. 311 of 2010.

Herds are selected on a risk basis for inspection. Procedures are in place to follow up any non-compliances identified at pig and poultry welfare inspections to ensure compliance is achieved.

In addition, and as part of the Rural Development Plan, my Department is co-funding Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health programmes for biosecurity review in both the pig and poultry sectors. These programmes, delivered by trained veterinarians, review the factors contributing to the introduction of disease in participating farms and the  spread of disease within the farms. Among the parameters specifically examined are stocking densities and on-farm hygiene measures. Specific recommendations are made for each farm to reduce the introduction and spread of infectious disease. A direct benefit from the reduction of infectious disease should be a corresponding reduction in the need for antibiotic treatments.

In November, 2021 my Department launched iNAP2, Ireland’s second One Health National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2021-2025, in collaboration with the  Department of Health. iNAP2 contains over 150 actions to address AMR. Actions taken to improve animal health, and prevent disease, are key to reducing the use of antibiotics and tackling AMR.

An Animal Health Implementation Committee (AHIC) chaired by my Department oversees the delivery of the animal health and environmental actions contained in iNAP2. This Committee worked to develop and publish codes of good practice regarding the responsible use of antimicrobials on poultry and pig farms. Practical strategies outlined in these codes highlight some of the important actions that farmers can take to reduce their overall use of antibiotics and to improve their herd health, including appropriate management of stocking denisty.

Finally, my Department launched the National Antimicrobial Usage Database for pigs in November 2019. The database collects farm-level data on the number of antimicrobials used on commercial Irish pig farms on a quarterly basis. Measuring antibiotic use is a pivotal part of the national effort to reduce overall use and promote responsible use where necessary.