asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state as a matter of urgency, in view of the imminent loading for export to the Middle East of 2,500 cattle at Waterford port in the vessel Fastock; (1) the basis for his Department's decision to pass as suitable for cattle transportation, the vessel Fastock, formerly known as Purcell Livestock, despite its failure to meet the legal standards required; (2) if he proposes to withdraw that approval; and (3) if the approval is not withdrawn, the steps he intends to take to ensure that the cattle it carries are transported in humane conditions and that the cruelty endured by cattle on this vessel's last trip in 1981 is not repeated.
Written Answers. - Transportation of Cattle.
726.
An inspection of the Fastock was carried out by veterinary officers of my Department on 16 November 1984 for the purposes of the Transit of Animals (General) Order, 1973. The vessel was considered suitable to carry a consignment of cattle to North Africa and approval was given for its use for this purpose. It is intended that a veterinary officer of my Department should travel with any such consignment to observe conditions on board during the voyage.