Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The restrictions on animal movement and the length of time spent on their last holding are demanded by retailers. A review has been carried out recently by Bord Bia of the eligibility criteria for quality assurance payments and this should make it administratively easier for farmers but a lot of quality assurance payments are driven by retail and consumer demands over food safety.

I do not have any plans to revisit the fees on exports. It is reasonable that the Department should seek to recover its veterinary costs by way of a fee. We have an avenue for consultation with live exporters and it is an industry in regard to which we are obliged, for many reasons such as animal welfare and market demands, to operate to the highest standards. I am pleased to say that those involved in the live export trade do not just meet EU requirements but EU-plus requirements.

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