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Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2004

Tuesday, 9 November 2004

Ceisteanna (225)

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

287 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding Northern Ireland sheep farmers not being allowed to buy breeding sheep in the Republic; if this can be reversed as speedily as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28043/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Sheep farmers from Northern Ireland are not precluded from buying breeding sheep here but the following rules apply to the export of such sheep. Intra-Community trade in sheep is governed by the provisions of Council Directive 2003/50/EC, which amends Council Directive 91/68/EEC as regards reinforcement of controls on movements of sheep and goats and which came into force on the 1 July 2004. These controls apply to breeding sheep whether they are imported or exported.

Under these rules, breeding sheep must be certified as having been continuously resident on a holding of origin for at least 30 days prior to export including a standstill period of 21 days prior to export during which time no sheep or goats have been introduced on to the holding. A derogation applies where sheep or goats introduced during the standstill period are completely isolated from all other animals on the holding. Breeding rams must also come from a holding on which no case of contagious epididymitis, brucella ovis, has been recorded in the previous 12 months and they must have been kept permanently on the holding for 60 days prior to export. Breeding rams must also be tested for contagious epididymitis, brucella ovis, with a negative result, within 30 days prior to export. The rules on scrapie are that all breeding sheep must either be of the ARR/ARR prion protein genotype, or have been kept in a scrapie monitored flock for at least three years with no cases of scrapie being confirmed during this period.

In the case of exports from breeding shows, it is a fundamental requirement that breeding sheep being exported would not come into contact with animals of a lesser health status, that is, production or slaughter sheep. In this respect, prior arrangements between show organisers and the appropriate district veterinary office would be needed. Breeding sheep being exported must be inspected by an official veterinarian during the 24 hours preceding the loading of the animals and issued with an intra-Community health certificate signed by the official veterinarian.

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