Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
541. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cause of death of six bulls during transit to Libya in February 2018, in view of the fact that it appears these details were not recorded; and if the cause of death of all animals on such shipments will be recorded in future for openness and transparency. [31739/18]
View answerMy Department promotes an environment in which live exports take place with a strong emphasis on the welfare of all animals being exported. Livestock being exported are monitored by my Department’s veterinary inspectors during the prescribed isolation period, with the loading of cattle also supervised by Department officials. All animals are inspected and must be certified as regards health status and fitness for travel, and cattle on board a livestock ship departing from Ireland are typically bedded and penned in conditions very similar to cattle in any feedlot or cattle shed. In addition, due regard must be taken to weather conditions in respect of long distance transport
Typically the number of mortalities that arise during transport from Ireland by ship is very low. Any mortalities that do arise during transport by ship from Ireland are recorded and returns are made to DAFM after each voyage.
As with most mortalities in livestock it is not possible to give a definitive cause of death in the majority of cases. With the small number of mortalities that do arise, respiratory disease or injuries such as a broken leg requiring the animal to be euthanised would tend to be the most common causes. The incidence of all mortalities are monitored and corrective actions would be instigated in the event that unusually high mortality levels were recorded.
