Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
1188. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if exported animals are free loaded onto ships; if so, the regulations that govern the health and safety of animals not being transported in road vehicles; the way inspections take place in such situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19829/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraExports of live animals from Ireland utilise both (i) “Roll on – Roll off” ferries, where the animals remain in approved transport vehicles and (ii) dedicated livestock vessels.
The specific legislation relating to the transport of live animals are EU Council Regulation (EC) 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations which is given legal effect in Ireland by S.I. No. 675 of 2006 and the Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016 (S.I. 356 of 2016) which regulates the transport of animals by sea in livestock vessels. My Department has availed of provisions in the European legislation which allows for stricter national rules to be implemented in relation to sea transport and we continue to apply stricter and more detailed requirements than those provided for in EU legislation in this area.
Live animals destined for export are also subject to EU regulations relating to animal health and welfare as well as to certification requirements agreed between Ireland and third country authorities. Cattle destined for live export are monitored by Department Veterinary Inspectors at the time of loading and during the prescribed isolation period in Ireland where an isolation period is required by the importing country. This is in addition to any inspections that may be carried out by Official Veterinarians from the country of destination of the animals. Private Veterinary Practitioners (PVP) also undertake the testing and certification required prior to export. Only animals certified fit to travel are loaded onto trucks under the supervision of Department Veterinary Inspectors. At Port of departure, the animals are unloaded from the trucks and walk onto the dedicated livestock ship and this process is also supervised by my Department officials. Cattle that are penned on board a livestock ship will typically be in very similar conditions to any feedlot situation.
Irish legislative standards for sea transport are recognised by the EU Commission as being amongst the most effective and stringent legislation in force as regards transport by sea. Only ships that have been surveyed and approved by independent Marine Surveyor in conjunction with Department Veterinary Inspectors can load cattle for export from Ireland.
At the time of the first shipment of cattle to Turkey at end of September 2016, a PVP accompanied the load from Ireland to Turkey. My Department arranged for a Veterinary Inspector to fly to Turkey to monitor the cattle on arrival and at unloading. In all cases to date the feedback as regards the welfare, quality and health of the Irish cattle that have been transported by boat to Turkey has been very positive.
