Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 5

Written Answers. - Animal Welfare.

Billy Timmins

Question:

205 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to small farmers delivering eight or ten sheep to a mart who cannot afford to hire proper transport and so have to use their own trailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30190/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh):

In order to ensure that the highest standards of welfare are accorded to animals during transport, legislation in the form of S.I. No. 98 of 1995, S.I. No. 326 of 1997 and S.I. No. 215 of 2001 was introduced.

Vehicles which are used solely for the transport of animals up to a maximum distance of 50 km from the start of the transport of the animals to the place of destination do not require registration for livestock transport purposes under the above legislation. However, all vehicles used for the transport of livestock should be safe for the animals and well maintained so as to reduce the risk of discomfort or injury during transport. The vehicle must also ensure livestock safety during loading, transit and unloading so as to afford animals protection from unnecessary suffering, injury and from the weather.

In an effort to raise awareness of these legal requirements, my Department conducted a poster campaign in livestock marts in January 2002. My Department also notified manufacturers of transport vehicles of both national and EU requirements in July 2002. In 2002 a pamphlet entitled Guidelines For Animal Welfare During Transport Within Ireland was published and issued to all herdowners. I can arrange to make a copy of this available to the Deputy.

This is an important aspect of farm animal welfare and my Department will continue efforts to bring about the necessary improvements whenever significant shortcomings are evident. It is important to say that standards generally in Ireland in this area have been improving and I do not believe that Irish livestock producers generally have anything to fear from continuing improvement.