Sheepmeat Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Questions (907)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

907. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason he has brought in a regulation that a person purchasing lamb for export has to hold them for twenty one days before exporting them; if his attention has been drawn to concerns that this will delay sales of lamb that are now being purchased for Ramadan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48070/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Trade in sheep is governed by Council Directive 91/68/EEC, as amended, on animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade in ovine and caprine animals. This legislation requires inter alia that Member States ensure that ovine animals for slaughter are not dispatched to another Member State unless such animals have been continuously resident on the holding of origin for at least 21 days.