Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Jan 1999

Vol. 499 No. 1

Written Answers. - Live Exports.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

451 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the negotiations, if any, which have taken place with the United Kingdom authorities to organise an overland route through the United Kingdom for Irish live cattle destined for continental Europe in view of the fact that the EU ban on the export of United Kingdom meat has now been lifted. [2087/99]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

EU Council Decision 98/256 which replaced Decision 96/239, prohibits the dispatch of live bovine animals from the territory of the United Kingdom. While a decision has been taken in principle to permit the export of British beef, from a date yet to be set, the ban remains in place in respect of live animals.