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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Nov 1988

Vol. 383 No. 8

Written Answers. - Calf Imports.

135.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will make a statement on his attitude to calf imports; and, in particular, if he will outline (a) the basis on which calves may at present, be imported (b) whether calves are being imported illegally and (c) his proposals, if any, to amend the existing regulations.

The importation of calves from other member states of the European Community is governed by the provisions of Directive 64/432/EEC under which Ireland imposes a quarantine requirement for bovine animals imported from those states which vaccinate against foot and mouth disease (FMD). Denmark and Great Britain (apart from Ireland) are the only member states which do not so vaccinate and consequently direct importation, without quarantine, is possible only from those two countries subject to certain prescribed veterinary requirements.

In the case of imports from non-EC countries, the requirements are specific to the animal disease situation in each country and in general include a quarantine requirement because of the risk of introducing exotic diseases.

In the light of the scarcity of calves here, I decided last spring to relax the conditions for importation from Great Britain and Denmark by eliminating some of the pre-export veterinary requirement provided the calves had not moved from the herd of origin since birth and had not been exposed at a public sale. No calves have been imported so far this year under these conditions, but I understand that some small consignments may be due to arrive shortly. Allegations that calves have been smuggled in from Great Britain, mainly via Northern Ireland, have been investigated by the authorities both here and in Northern Ireland and have not been substantiated.

The present conditions governing calf imports are designed to safeguard the high animal health status of our national herd and I do not propose to put that status at risk by changing them.

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