Dr. Kevin Smyth:

I will leave the aspect of the welfare and transportation of injured animals to my colleague, Mr. Sheahan. I can state quite categorically that I knew nothing about this until I saw what was on last night. I had no inkling. There is a legitimate way of dealing with injured animals or animals that require euthanasia. It can be done in a humane way in this country and there are abattoirs for that. Some of the 4,000 figure includes animals that have been put down humanely in this country for legitimate reasons. I had no inkling whatsoever of what was in that programme.

Perhaps Mr, Sheahan will clarify the regulatory position on the transportation of injured animals.