asked the Minister for Agriculture if he intends to introduce an order analogous to the United Kingdom Importation of Animals Order, 1977 to prevent the importation of animal disease; the existing Irish regulations on this matter; and how they compare with the new United Kingdom Order.
Written Answers. - Animal Imports.
354.
In all essential details the powers of control over animal imports provided for in the British legislation referred to, which is largely a consolidating measure, already exist here by virtue of our Diseases of Animals Act, 1966 (No. 6 of 1966) and orders made thereunder, particularly the Importation of Livestock Order, 1970 (S.I. No. 296 of 1970) and the Rabies (Importation, Landing and Movement of Animals) Orders, 1972 and 1976 (S.I. Nos. 16 of 1972 and 95 of 1976). Some points of difference do exist between the British legislation and ours but they mainly reflect the different patterns of import of animals which occur in the two countries.
I do not consider that any need exists for the introduction of new legislation of this kind here, but if the Deputy is concerned about any particular aspect of this matter and indicates to me what it is I shall be happy to have the question further examined.