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Animal Slaughtering

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2021

Thursday, 20 May 2021

Questions (29)

Thomas Gould

Question:

29. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason cattle are routinely transported across long distances for slaughter. [26932/21]

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Written answers

The vast majority of cattle raised in Ireland and slaughtered each year are killed on the island of Ireland, and, as such, are transported over relatively short distances to slaughter. In 2019, some 1.85 million cattle were slaughtered in Ireland. In the same period, less than five thousand cattle aged over 24 months of age - which would represent animals approaching slaughter weight – were exported from Ireland.

While relatively few animals are exported for slaughter, in all cases, the transport for animals must comply with legislative requirements with regard to quality of the transport vehicle, stocking density, bedding and feeding/watering en route. In addition, in respect of all animals exported from Ireland, the Department has a comprehensive system for inspecting the animals and vehicles before transport and ensures that only those animals that are fit for transport are allowed to travel.

The vehicles and ships must pass stringent inspections by specialist engineers and trained veterinary inspectors, to become approved for transport of animals on journeys out of Ireland. The drivers must sit training and pass an examination to be allowed to drive transport animals off-island.

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