Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
878. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if more stringent rules are to be introduced or come into effect regarding the days that an animal must be kept by a licensed livestock exporter prior to export; the reason for such rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23400/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraNew rules were introduced across the EU by the Animal Health Law (EU Regulation 429 of 2016), which came into force in April 2021. The provisions of this Regulation and Delegated Regulations made thereunder are directly applicable in Ireland, as they are in other Member States.
Specifically, Delegated Regulation 2020/688 introduced new rules providing for a 14-day time limit from the date an animal departs its establishment of origin to its date of departure from the ultimate assembly centre in Ireland for another member state. The objective of the measure is to seek to mitigate the risk of animals being exposed to disease risk after they leave their holding of origin and being delivered to their new holding in other member states. The same rules apply in respect of animals being imported into Ireland.
The Department has issued detailed guidance to industry by way of a Trader Notice on 4 March 2022, which outlines the relevant requirements. Changes are being introduced to the Department's AIM database to give effect to these new rules.
