Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1285. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what steps have been taken to ensure the safety of the calves at the two control posts in Cherbourg-Pignet and Tollevast, for example if CCTV has been installed; what assurances he can give that Irish calves will be safe, given that this is France and not under the jurisdiction of the Irish authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1762/24]
View answerIreland and France are both Member States of the EU and the applicable legislation in relation to animal welfare and transport applies in both jurisdictions. The approval and supervision of control posts in France is a matter for the French authorities. Whilst the control posts in Cherbourg lie outside the direct control of my inspectors, one of the many benefits of EU membership is the emphasis on co-operation between Member States, and in that regard the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine continues to work very closely with the French Ministry of Agriculture on issues of joint interest including the Control Posts in Cherbourg.
In 2019 and early 2020 a joint visitation to the Cherbourg Control Posts was carried out by French and Irish officials. By agreement between the French and Irish Departments, a booking system was put in place to prevent overcrowding at the Control Posts. My Department rolled out additional policy measures on animal welfare during transport, which go beyond those laid down in EU rules, while France focused on their direct supervision of the Control Posts. These changes impact all livestock transports, but particularly the intracommunity trade in unweaned calves.
These changes include:
a. Increased minimum space allowances for calves, e.g. 11% extra space for calves of 55kg, over that allowed in EU rules.
b. Veterinary Inspectors are instructed not to accept journey logs when forecasted temperatures equal or exceed 30°C en-route at time of transport. The Department monitors forecasts in Europe in summer and winter months, issuing guidance up to three times weekly.
c. All use of sticks on calves is banned in assembly centres.
d. Policy of not approving transport of very small calves below 40kg bodyweight on long journeys.
e. Driver behaviour is a major influence on animal welfare during transport. The re-training period for drivers to retain their certificate of competence has been reduced from 10 years to three years.
f. In 2019 a booking system for unweaned calves was introduced to avoid overcrowding control posts in Cherbourg.
g. Unannounced accompaniment of calf consignments to Cherbourg by official veterinarians occurs during the peak transport season (Spring) to monitor the welfare of Irish calves during transport.
