Compensation for Fota Wildlife Park a possibility, says minister

The Government is monitoring bird flu outbreaks in Cork, agriculture minister Martin Heydon has said, as Fota Wildlife Park could be eligible for financial compensation for the infected geese it has to euthanise.

Cork Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn asked the minister in the Dáil if he would detail compensation, surveillance, and culling protocols for private and commercial poultry.

Mr Heydon said the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides that compensation to owners of animals may be payable if a cull of those animals is directed by his department in the event of an outbreak in that herd or flock of certain diseases, including highly pathogenic bird flu.

Compensation

“The compensation may relate to the animal that is culled, or to an animal product, animal feed, or similar item that is destroyed in relation to the outbreak,” Mr Heydon said.

“The compensation may not exceed the open market value of the animal or item.

“My department is monitoring the situation regarding avian influenza, both nationally and in Cork, and continuously engaging with stakeholders. The method of culling used where there is confirmation or suspicion of highly pathogenic avian influenza depends on the size of the holding and the circumstances.”

On Wednesday, Fota Wildlife Park said it “had made the extremely difficult decision” to humanely euthanise some of its impacted greylag goose to prevent wider transmission and protect the park’s conservation collection. The park has also announced it will be closed for a number of weeks, which would put the facility under financial strain.

Core mission

“Fota Wildlife Park is a not-for-profit organisation, with a 100-acre footprint,” said a statement from the park. 

“It relies on support from the public and visitors to the park to carry out its core mission of conservation, education, and the protection of endangered species. With average weekly operational costs of approximately €120,000, the closure of Fota Wildlife Park has a significant impact on its ability to generate revenue.”

Mr O’Flynn also asked about laboratory facilities available, and Mr Heydon said his department currently operates two regional veterinary laboratories in the Munster region, one in Cork and one in Limerick, in addition to a blood testing facility in Cork. He said it is planned to replace these with an enhanced Munster regional veterinary laboratory in North Cork.