Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 March 2013
218. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent, if any, to which cattle or pigs are imported into the EU from whatever location; if any such imports come from countries with a lesser level of awareness and restriction in respect of bovine or swine diseases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15925/13]
View answerAccording to the information available to my Department, imports of live cattle and pigs into the EU are negligible. Cattle are imported in very low numbers, with imports being mainly high value breeding lines such as prized bulls. Similarly, live pig imports into the EU are limited, with some very small numbers of breeding stock from countries such as Switzerland and Norway.
No bovines have been imported to Ireland from outside the EU during 2012 or 2013 to date. During this period, one consignment of 33 live pigs for breeding purposes was imported directly into Ireland from Canada.
The importation into the EU of bovine and porcine livestock is subject to strict health conditions as laid down in specific EU legislation. In addition, the exporting country must be approved by the EU for export. The legislation in place requires that animals being imported into the EU must undergo specific pre-export disease testing and adherence to specific conditions of preparation in the exporting country before being permitted to enter the Union. Such health entry requirements, which are generally equivalent to those applying to trade within the EU, must be detailed in documented health certification issued by the competent authority of the country of export. Furthermore, such importations may only enter the EU through officially approved EU Border Inspection posts.
