Vol. 454 No. 6
21 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has received representations from the Falmouth Port Authority regarding the condition of some 2,000 cattle being shipped from Ireland to Egypt on the Panama-registered Brescia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10682/95]
I have received no such representations from the Falmouth Port Authority. The allegations of animal cruelty made by the UK official who boarded the ship in Falmouth for a very short period following the sudden death of the captain proved to be entirely without foundation and, indeed, have already been criticised by me as inaccurate and unhelpful. The cattle in question were loaded under the supervision of my Department's veterinary inspectorate who were satisfied that the stocking density in the vessel was in accordance with the specifications of the Statutory Instrument and that there was adequate feeding and watering on board. As the Deputy will be aware, it was subsequently established that all the cattle arrived safely and in good condition in Egypt without a single mortality and that this was additionally confirmed by The Irish Times journalist who was on board the vessel during that journey.
