Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2017
437. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current regulations for the protection of animal welfare while live animals are in situ or on docks awaiting loading on to a vessel. [14855/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra438. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current regulations in place for the protection of animal welfare during long-haul transportation. [14856/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to answer Questions Nos. 437 and 438 together.
Ireland has a comprehensive legislative framework in place to ensure that vessels authorised for the carriage of livestock by sea are equipped to the very highest specification. My Department also ensures that rigorous controls and procedures are put in place to ensure strict compliance with this legislation. Only ships approved by DAFM can load cattle for export from Ireland. These ships undergo a detailed joint inspection by both independent marine inspectors and my Department's veterinary inspectors.
Cattle being exported are monitored by my Department’s veterinary inspectors during the prescribed isolation period. The loading of cattle is also supervised by officials of my Department and the animals are inspected and certified as regards health status and fitness for travel. Under the relevant legislation, the transporters must ensure that adequate feed and water is provided for the entire duration of the journey, which includes the loading process. While on the truck, regulation 1/2005 applies, with an onus on the transporter to make contingency arrangements in the event of unforeseen delay. This contingency could involve bringing the cattle back to the holding of origin and unloading them in the case of unforeseen delay in relation to loading on to a vessel.
Cattle on board a livestock ship departing from Ireland are typically bedded and penned in conditions very similar to cattle in any feedlot or cattle shed. In general, on the occasion of a first shipment to a new destination, a veterinary practitioner accompanies the shipment. For example, at the time of the first shipment to Turkey at end of September 2016, a private veterinary practitioner accompanied the load from Ireland to Turkey and the unloading of the cattle was monitored by a veterinary inspector from my Department who reported that the cattle were well rested, were in good condition and were fed following landing.
To date the feedback as regards the welfare, quality and health of the Irish cattle that have been exported has been very positive. The Deputy can be assured that my Department will continue to promote and maintain an environment in which live exports can continue in both an economic and sustainable manner, with due regard for the welfare of all animals exported.
