Live Exports.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 October 2006

Thursday, 12 October 2006

Questions (148)

Seymour Crawford

Question:

140 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will change the regulations that will allow purebred cattle to be exported through Rosslare and Dún Laoghaire in the same way as horses can be transported; her views on whether it is unreasonable that animals have to be brought from the deep south, up through Belfast and Larne to Stranraer across through Scotland and all the way down through England to a purchaser on the Welsh border or even down to Devon or Cornwall; if she will justify the cost and the stress on the animal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32542/06]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

There are no regulations in place that prevent cattle being exported through the ports referred to or indeed through other locations that have adequate facilities. My Department's function in relation to the transport of livestock by sea is to approve vessels based on statutory requirements regarding the protection of animal welfare. The actual provision of services for the transport of livestock by sea is a matter for the service providers operating on the routes.

Any ferry operator intending to transport livestock from the State to another Member State, or to a Third Country, must have the vessel inspected and approved by my Department. Approval for the carriage of livestock on roll on roll off vessels is considered on a case-by-case basis, having regard to the characteristics of the individual vessel, whereas there are specific statutory requirements which apply across the board where dedicated livestock vessels are concerned. My Department works closely with companies that seek approval for the transport of livestock to ensure that the conditions aboard such vessels are consistent with national and E.U. animal welfare requirements.