Denis Naughten
Question:115 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on the key IFA amendments to EU Commission proposals for the export of live animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30560/03]
Written Answers. - Live Exports.
The proposal for a Council regulation on the protection of animals during transport is of great importance from the perspective of our live export trade. My Department shares many of the concerns voiced by the Irish Farmers Association and has met with its representatives as part of a consultation process with all stakeholders in the industry. The proposal has been discussed by chief veterinary officers and at working group level on several occasions since September 2003.
I have signalled my concerns about dispensing with the use of staging posts at which animals may be offloaded and requiring them to rest on the transport vehicle; modifying the travel time-rest period cycle; reducing stocking densities, arising primarily from the requirement to rest animals on the transport vehicle; and standards being prescribed for seagoing vessels which do not meet the rigorous standards already laid down in Irish legislation. Discussions on all of these matters are continuing. While progress is being made on some aspects, agreement has yet to be achieved on several fundamental technical provisions.
The proposal is unlikely to be finalised during the Italian Presidency. Instead, consideration of the dossier is expected to continue during the Irish Presidency and the European Parliament is not expected to outline its position before March 2004.