Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2021
506. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the arrangements made to ensure that horses exported to the Continent by road using the land bridge through the UK can have feeding and rest periods on their journeys at pre-notified premises; the additional paperwork that has to be complied with as a result of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3418/21]
View answerSince 1st January 2021, following the end of the transition period and the departure of the UK from the EU, both the UK and Irish authorities have put in place a revised system for transport via the UK landbridge.
Health assurance/certification requirements for the movement of horses from Ireland to other EU member states continue as heretofore.
Irish transporters must continue to remain fully compliant with Council Regulation (EC) 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations.
For long journeys which require journey log approval, from Ireland to, or through GB, transporters are now required to apply for approval in advance for two journey logs:
- one approved by my Department, as heretofore and
- one approved by the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA);
Both journey logs should describe all stages of the journey including rest and feeding periods. Applications for journey log approval must be submitted at least two working days before the journey begins, and completed logs must be returned to the competent authority that issued them within 30 days of the end of the journey.
In addition, both the UK and Irish authorities will require evidence that the transporter, vehicle and driver hold the correct authorisations / approvals / certificates in both the EU and the UK.
My Department continues to work with our UK counterparts to ensure the availability of premises in continued compliance with Council Regulation 1 of 2005.
