Vol. 533 No. 5
64 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans he has to reduce the level of transportation of animals in the interests of animal health and welfare; and in particular, if he will ensure the trend in closure of small abattoirs is reversed. [9275/01]
It is my Department's intention that the health and welfare standards that are established by EU Council Directive No. 91/628/EEC as amended are maintained to the highest level. In addition, I have introduced permit arrangements in respect of transport of susceptible animals to meat plants and for welfare reasons in the context of the foot and mouth disease, FMD, situation.
With regard to abattoirs, small abattoirs with a throughput of less than 1,000 livestock units per annum are licensed and operated in accordance with the requirements of the Abattoirs Act, 1988. These small abattoirs are, however, required to achieve minimum standards regarding hygiene, animal welfare and the environment. I acknowledge the important role played by domestic abattoirs within the wider food sector and this has been reflected in the approach taken by my Department to establishments that comply with the regulations. However, given the absolute primacy of consumer protection, my Department cannot provide licences to those premises which do not achieve the minimum standard required.
