Vol. 556 No. 5
40 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his Department is ready to implement the EU regulations set to come into force on 1 January 2003, which deal with controls on lairage and the movement of live cattle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20835/02]
I assume the Deputy is referring to an EU Commission proposal to amend Council Regulation (EC) No. 1255/97 in relation to the use of staging points in international transport. This proposal is intended to reduce the risks to animal health from the use of staging points, which are approved points at which animals being transported over long distances by roads are rested. It comes against the background of the foot and mouth disease crisis, which brought into clear focus the possible risk to animal health arising from mixing of animals from different points of origin at such premises. The proposal is complex and has implications for practical arrangements for the export of animals from Ireland and other member states. It is receiving attention at EU Council working group level in Brussels. My Department is participating in discussions on the detailed proposals and it will implement the Council regulation which results at the appropriate time.
