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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Nov 1994

Vol. 446 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transporting of Animals.

Liz McManus

Question:

5 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry Ireland's position on the proposals made at the meeting of agricultural ministers in Brussels on 26 October 1994, regarding the protection of animals during transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2898/94]

Ireland is fully supportive of proposals for the improvement of animal welfare during transport and it is regrettable that the Council of Ministers could not agree on the detailed rules in the matter at recent meetings. The main difficulty at the most recent meeting was objections by most member states to a Presidency compromise that would allow individual member states to impose separate national limits on the maximum length of journey for animals destined for slaughter.

I have indicated to the Council that I am open to any reasonable compromise which would emerge to improve the rules for the welfare of animals being transported so long as we have the same opportunity as other member states to supply livestock to export outlets.

I also consider that a journey limit on its own should not be seen as the full solution; the entire range of controls to protect the welfare of the animals needs to be taken into account with a view to a comprehensive improvement in animal welfare.

The Minister's words sound hollow in view of the fact that his Department refuses to release a report which was commissioned by it on the welfare of animals and live shipments. In view of his statement to the House, will the Minister agree to release that report in order that the public, who paid the bill for this report, will have an opportunity to see what is the current position and how the Minister can ensure the welfare of animals?

For many years we have had a tradition of exporting live animals. We have taken great care in regard to the conditions applying to the animals. It is important not just for the welfare of animals but also for commercial considerations. In regard to animal welfare, we have veterinary inspectorate controls and we insist on the very highest standards. They relate to the density of the animals per vessel, ventilation, fodder, etc. We insist on the issuing of a licence of fitness of each animal before it goes aboard a vessel. A few months ago I had to issue an order to close the port of Greenore to ensure facilities there were maintained to the highest standard. Even with controls incidents occasionally occur which should not. That has happened on not more than two occasions in many years. We insist on the tightest possible controls so that there is no cruelty or stress to the animals concerned. It would not be in the interests of Irish stock owners if animals reached their destination in a stressed condition.

I am sure the Ceann Comhairle will agree that the Minister is guilty of evasion. I asked a simple question relating to a report which he has, in effect, suppressed publication of.

We have just heard a little dissertation on animal welfare which is all very interesting, but it has nothing to do with the question I asked the Minister. I asked the Minister if he would release the report commissioned by his Department on this issue which was paid for out of the public purse and which he is suppressing even though there have been requests through his Department for publication of it.

The greatest care is taken of animals in transit. The Department, its inspectors and officials take every possible precaution to ensure that animals are well treated and taken care of in transit. The subject of an Adjournment debate last night was why so much care is taken in relation to air transport of animals out of Knock. The reason was that the Department insists on there being the best conditions available. As to the report in question, I do not think it would serve any useful purpose to have that internal document made available for public consumption.

Is the real reason for not publishing this report that its findings would prove embarrassing to the Department? Will the Minister confirm that the report states that Irish cattle and sheep routinely arrive at their destinations displaying signs of dehydration and infection? Will he also confirm that the report alleges that week-old calves are being shipped abroad for the veal market and go unfed for 25 hours and longer? Is he not concerned also that to date this year 227 animals died while being transported from this country?

The Deputy seems to be imparting a good deal of information rather than seeking it.

Will the Minister confirm that is the position?

The vast bulk of animals transported from Ireland are adult cattle. From a commercial point of view it is in the interests of the industry and the transporters that animals arrive in the best condition. From an animal welfare point of view it is the responsibility of the Department to ensure that the conditions on board are adequate. Recently, I have been criticised because the Department did not commission vessels to transport animals from Ireland. I do not have a difficulty with ferries as long as they meet the highest possible standards. Unfortunately, there are accidents on ferries to humans as well as animals but every effort is made by authorities in all countries to prevent them. Ferries must continue in operation and accidents are minimised to the greatest possible extent by the authorities concerned, including the Irish authorities.

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