Ms Paula Barry Walsh:

A point was raised about the Northern Irish nomad cattle. Currently, the labelling of meat is governed by EU rules that are origin-based. The label must indicate where an animal was born, reared and slaughtered. If an animal was born, reared and slaughtered in Ireland, one can include the term "origin Ireland", or equally it could be "origin UK" as the only other jurisdiction. If animals are moved to Northern Ireland, the label will indicate that they were born in one jurisdiction, reared in another and perhaps slaughtered in another, but the commercial operations do not favour the use of that type of label. They prefer it to use an "origin UK" label. In that context, the EU legislation prevails in labelling.

Mention was made of the decrease in the fee for calves from €480 to €120. It was considered to be an issue of equity. The payment of €480 was originally for a bovine, at which point, going back many years, there was not a particularly big trade in calves. As the trade became more active, it was pointed out that proportionally, relative to the amount of work and time involved, it was very expensive. For the sake of equity, the differentiation was made in prices.

Committee members raised the issue of Brexit. I cannot specify in what form Brexit will happen and I will not go there today - I will not reveal it - but perhaps it is very easy. When we are talking about calves, weanlings and stores, Brexit will be irrelevant because they leave the country in intra-community trade and will continue to do so. There will be no impact in that regard. Equally, in the case of the ships that sail to Turkey, for example, Brexit will have no impact per se.

To respond to the question of how many animals are stopped, I reiterate that in line with standards ensuring the welfare of animals is the top priority. Prior to loading, all animals in the lairage are inspected by the veterinary inspectors on duty. There are documentary, identity and health checks. Unless it is to be deemed fit to travel and free of disease, no animal is allowed on a vessel. If animals are rejected, it is primarily because of some documentary issue such as an incorrect card, the current owner is not registered or perhaps the results of bovine disease tests might not have been included. Very small numbers of cattle are rejected on health grounds, but, if necessary, they will be.