Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
55. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process for investigating complaints received in respect of reported breaches of animal welfare regulations during shipments of live animals to third countries. [55709/23]
View answerAll complaints or allegations concerning animal welfare during transport are examined and evaluated by my Department.
Where there are grounds to suspect that a breach of legislation may have taken place, my Department investigates by gathering and analysing data and establishing the facts. In the case of live animals being exported to third countries this may involve sending formal communications to animal transport operators involved, seeking return of key data, and / or to the authorities of countries of transit or destination asking for their observations or passing on details to them to facilitate their own investigations.
Once all relevant facts and data are in the possession of the Department, they are analysed in light of legislative provisions to determine whether they amount to evidence that a breach of relevant legislation has taken place, and if so, the nature of such a breach. The quality of evidence must also be considered, as must any evidence indicating the degree of culpability of individuals or companies in any suspected breaches of animal welfare rules.
If there is sufficient evidence to establish that non compliance with or a breach of animal welfare regulations has occurred then appropriate sanctions will be applied. These sanctions may vary from administrative sanctions to criminal prosecution depending on the nature of the breach of the regulations.
