asked the Minister for Agriculture the reason dual standards exist in relation to the export of live cattle to Great Britain as very stringent measures are insisted upon for export through Rosslare harbour including covered lairage facilities, disinfecting, resting of cattle, a strict veterinary examination by Waterford District Veterinary Office; special trucks for RO-RO ships which are leak-proof in relation to the slurry, office accommodation, while in Dublin there is no covered lairage, no offices, no disinfecting, the cattle are not rested, ordinary cattle lorries are used and cattle which fail to get through Rosslare harbour have got through Dublin without difficulty as has been tested on many occasions and there is only a hose-pipe in Dublin for washing lorries compared to the high pressure washing facilities in Rosslare; and if he will make a statement on these anomalies.
Written Answers. - Export of Live Cattle.
Satisfactory facilities exist at all ports from which cattle are shipped from this country to Britain. In particular, the disinfection and washing facilities at Dublin port and the office accommodation for Department staff there are entirely adequate. Moreover, cattle are rested at the port where necessary and only trucks suitable for RO-RO shipment are allowed to be used for the trade. A temporary cover is at present provided for the lairage at the port but it is planned to erect a permanent cover.
Health and welfare inspection of animals prior to loading on ship is carried out by veterinary officers of this Department at all ports in a uniform manner in accordance with precise legal criteria. Recent records show a greater rejection rate of animals at Dublin port than at Rosslare.