Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Dec 1995

Vol. 459 No. 6

Written Answers. - Importation of Pigs.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

154 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the action, if any, he proposes to take in view of the proposed importation of a wild boar herd from an eastern block country by Galtee Deer Care, who are trading with a Hungarian deer company, to the Mitchelstown area of County Cork; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this herd will be located approximately 500 yards from the Galtee Foods Products factory, which is the only plant in Ireland accredited and accepted by the United States Department of Agriculture and licensed to export to North America and Canada; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this herd will be in close proximity to a number of very large pig farms in the area which comply with the six or seven conditions stipulated by his Department; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the United Kingdom is experiencing severe swine diseases not indigenous to the country in view of the importation of such wild boar; whether the proposed importation of this herd should be prohibited altogether or, alternatively, located in an area which will be a specified number of miles from the Mitchelstown area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18639/95]

Brian Cowen

Ceist:

157 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his views on the importation of wild boars for breeding purposes from the United Kingdom in view of the fact that there are swine diseases, not indigenous in this country, which could be imported as a result; and if he will seek to make mandatory the current voluntary code of practice adhered to by pig producers. [18716/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 157 together.

The importation of pigs from other EU member states is governed by Council Directive 64/432/EEC, as amended, which sets out very strict conditions for such trade, including requirements that the pigs have tested negative for certain diseases and are accompanied by a health certificate issued by an authorised veterinarian in the member state of dispatch. The requirements of the EU Single Market preclude me from establishing animal health conditions over and above those set out in this Directive. For this reason, I am unable to direct that such pigs be held in any particular part of the State following importation or to make compulsory a voluntary code of practice adhered to by the majority of pig producers in the State. However, checks are being carried out on the consignment in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Trade in Animals and Animal Products) Regulations, 1994.

The Deputies should be aware that the National Pig Health Council representing the interests of the pig industry has issued a code of practice in relation to the importation of pigs into Ireland.

The code of practice, a voluntary code, sets out measures to further protect pig herds from the introduction of disease. I fully encourage the adoption of such codes in relation to all livestock imports and encourage all importers to abide by them.

In the case in question I have been informed that the importation of the wild boar was accompanied by certain but not all of the additional guarantees recommended by that code.