Vol. 539 No. 1
39 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his attention has been drawn to the fact that sheep shearing regulations are proving in practice to be a major obstacle to the orderly shearing of the flock; if he will consider a relaxation of the regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18733/01]
Having regard to foot and mouth disease and the danger of its spread because of the close physical contact between sheep shearer and sheep, it is necessary to ensure that sheep shearing by commercial shearers takes place under rigid monitoring and control arrangements. The current regulations were carefully developed on the basis of advice from an expert group which I established and it is considered that they are essential and prudent in the current circumstances. I understand that as at 22 June, there were 437 persons entered on the register of commercial sheep shearers.
