Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 4: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she intends to take to support farmers and transporters to meet the new animal transport regulations agreed in Brussels in December 2004 that will require farmers and hauliers to have a special certificate of competence to undertake journeys with livestock of more than 65 kilometres from departure to destination; her views on whether this will have further serious implications and costs for movement of cattle for shipping, marts, factories and above all for those in the pedigree cattle business who go to sales and shows; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2131/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The EU regulation to which the Deputy refers is Council Regulation (EC) No. 1 of 2005. Most of the requirements of the regulation will not come into effect until 5 January 2007. A small number of other provisions will have effect from 1 January 2008 and 1 January 2009. The regulation is designed to improve the welfare of animals being transported within member states and throughout the European Union. It follows intensive negotiations at official and political levels over the past 18 months.

The main provisions of the regulation do not apply to transport by farmers using their own vehicles of their own animals for distances up to 50 km. Several other provisions do not apply to persons transporting animals for distances up to 65 km. More detailed requirements relating to certificates of competence for drivers and attendants, as well as certificates of approval of vehicles, apply only to transport for more than eight hours and not, as suggested by the Deputy, to journeys above 65 km. The Department of Agriculture and Food is considering the arrangements and requirements for the operation of the new regime for the transport of animals at home and to our European markets from 2007 onwards. I intend to consult all relevant parties on the most effective way to implement the regulation.

The final Council agreement did not cover more controversial issues, such as stocking densities and travel times. The Council will review such issues within four years of entry into force of the regulation. In recent years, the Department of Agriculture and Food has actively promoted the welfare of animals at all levels, including at farm and transport levels. I welcome the broad thrust of the Council regulation. I do not expect that it will impose significant burdens on the industry. It will significantly improve the welfare of animals during transport. It demonstrates the commitment to animal welfare of Ireland and the European Union.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister for providing so much valuable information. This is another step in the process of regulating farmers out of business. The Minister might argue that it is not serious because it will not come in for another two years. We spoke a few minutes ago about the nitrates directive, which was introduced in 1992 but has not yet been regulated. How does the Minister envisage that the new regulation will improve matters? The record of farmers in their transport of stock is generally quite good. If one wants to move cattle from County Donegal to another county for show and tell purposes, for example, it will not be very long until one has travelled 50 km or 65 km. In such circumstances, one would have to get a haulier or review one's licensing structure. How do the regulations apply to a person moving a horse to a race meeting?

According to the figures provided by the Minister today, we have destocked 1 million head in this country. We destocked 1 million head between 1998 and 2003, even though the single premium was not in place. If farmers are to remain in business, we have to be very careful about introducing further regulations. How will this regulation improve the livestock sector? Is the Minister suggesting that farmers are not using reasonable means of transporting and handling livestock at present?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I agree with the Deputy's suggestion that farmers are not abusing their animals at present. The Deputy will appreciate that this is a controversial animal welfare issue in the European context. The changes will have a minimal effect on farmers transporting animals less than 50 km. There will be no change in that regard, in comparative terms, because the new regulation is in line with what is being done at present. The only real change relates to farmers transporting animals for more than eight hours, which is far more likely to happen in continental Europe than in Ireland. There are huge exemptions for anything less than eight hours. The changes primarily relate to transport that lasts more than eight hours — certificates of competency, authorisation training and certain other provisions will be needed in such circumstances. We will facilitate and support exporters and drivers to the best of our ability, perhaps through Teagasc or FÁS. The Deputy is aware that the changes will not happen for several years, as I have outlined.

It is important to emphasise that in my short time on the Council of Ministers, I have found that the attitude of many of my colleagues to the transport of livestock is not similar to my attitude or that of Deputy Crawford. This will become an more difficult issue in the future, despite all the supports that have been put in place. The normal transport between farms, marts and holdings will not be affected in any way. People involved in such activity are currently adhering to the rules set out in the new regulation.

I agree there will be changes to rules governing transport that lasts over eight hours. I have indicated the future implications of this regulation to the hauliers. There will be further negotiations with all those involved to ensure that we have the support we need to ensure adherence to the regulation. The implementation of the regulation will commence in 2007 and will be completed by 2009.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister has said the only issue at stake relates to the eight-hour rule. Is it not the case that a certificate will be needed for journeys of more than 65 km?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No, it is not.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Anyone can drive any distance in Ireland as long as the journey takes less than eight hours.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not know how many hours it would take to drive from Malin Head to Mizen Head. I suppose it would depend on how fast one was driving.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is vital because——

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

One will need a certificate of competency for journeys of more than eight hours. Other issues will also have to be addressed in such circumstances.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As this country's cattle numbers decrease, it is obvious that meat factories will have to close.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I think the Deputy should hold the head a little. There will not be any change in the rules governing the transport of animals for more than 50 km. The changes affecting those who drive more than 50 km but for less than eight hours will be minimal. In this regard, the regulation is in line with the normal methodology used by hauliers, transporters and farmers at present. The Deputy also asked about horses. I know that horses are well looked after when they are transported to race meetings. They are probably better looked after than the fellow driving the jeep.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That might not be the case on the journey home.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It depends on how much money the driver stands to make on the horse.