Minister urges oyster growers to re-engage with Marine Institute
Galway Bay fm newsroom - The Minister for Marine is appealing to oyster growers at a North Connemara Bay to re-engage with the Marine Institute.
Ballinakill bay lost its disease free status after one of 900 oysters tested positive for ostreid herpes virus in 2011.
The Marine Institute is now hoping to agree a code of practice which could lead to the re-instatement of disease free status.
The EU supported Irish surveillance programme started in areas of Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands in 2010.
Ballinakill bay was removed from the programme after it was found to be infected.
Galway Sinn Fein Senator Trevor O' Clochartaigh raised the issue of Ballinakill bay in the Seanad this week.
Responding on behalf of Marine Minister Simon Coveney, Deputy Brian Hayes called for the matter to be moved forward.