Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - AI Services.

Michael Creed

Question:

228 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development his Department's role and the legal framework indicating this role, governing the collection, storage and distribution for sale of boar semen in the Irish market. [8840/02]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The role of my Department in this area is to approve pig semen collection centres and to issue licences allowing the sale and distribution of boar semen from artificial livestock insemination centres. Veterinary staff from my Department carry out any necessary inspections of enterprises involved in these activities.

Pig semen collection centres are approved under the provisions of EU Council Directive 90/429/EEC as amended by EU Commission Decisions 1999/608/EC and 2000/39/EC. EU Council Directive 90/429/EEC was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Trade in Porcine Semen – Animal Health) Regulations 1993, S.I. No 242 of 1993. Under the provisions of EU Council Directive 90/429/EEC, an approved semen collection centre must have a semen storage room which need not necessarily be on the same site.

The sale and distribution of boar semen from artificial insemination centres is governed by the Live Stock (Artificial Insemination) (Pigs) Regulations, 1965, S.I. No. 255 of 1965. Under these regulations a person may not distribute or sell boar semen except in accordance with a licence issued by my Department.

Question No. 229 answered with Question No. 227.