Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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489. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on the continued implementation and monitoring of regulations around live exports; if he will advise with regard to reports regarding a specific case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29829/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The management and operation of any vessel carrying livestock from Ireland is subject to EU rules, including prior inspection and approval of the vessel by this Department. Ireland has also introduced its own national legislation regulating animal welfare in dedicated livestock vessels, which lays down more stringent controls that go further than those in EU law.

Vessels can only be used after being inspected by a specialised veterinarian and a marine engineer. Each loading of livestock onto dedicated vessels for export to non-EU countries is monitored and supervised by a team of experienced Department officials, both at the assembly centre and at the exit port. The Department assess and approves such voyages only where the requirements of the legislation are met by the operators.

The consignment of cattle referred to underwent the required level of supervision and control as outlined above.