Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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58. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department has taken to fulfil the programme for Government commitment to increase the veterinary presence available on all live export consignments to third countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25214/23]

Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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I ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department has taken to fulfil the program for Government commitment to increase the veterinary presence available on our live export consignments to third countries and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. It is important to clarify at the outset that my Department only permits animals to be transported in compliance with the EU's animal welfare legislation, which is among the most progressive legal frameworks in the world. Furthermore, Ireland has national rules to protect the welfare of livestock being exported to third countries on ships, which lay down controls that are more stringent than EU rules and which have been held up as an example by the European Commission to other member states. We support the safe export of live animals as it helps to offer an important market competition outlet for farmers. Nevertheless, we work from a perspective of constant improvement, and my officials have been exploring all possible options which would allow us to increase the veterinary presence on live export consignments, including the potential for national legislation.

We are currently examining the possibility of increasing the number of consignments which are accompanied on the voyage by an official veterinarian with a particular expertise in the transport of animals by sea. To this end, training of official veterinarians new to this area is taking place in early June to increase the pool of expert veterinarians available to accompany these consignments.

Over the past three years, my Department has actively contributed to developing new EU rules on welfare on ships exporting livestock, which are being introduced by the Commission in 2023. Among other improvements, these rules require that an official veterinarian travel on board the first voyage with livestock to a third country after a ship approval inspection. Ireland has operated a similar measure based on its own national rules for a number of years, and it will now operate throughout the EU.

Department officials and inspectors monitor compliance more generally through a system of official controls, including advance checks of paperwork and veterinary checks of the livestock vessel and of all animals before they travel. A Department official veterinarian boards the vessel before and after loading and is also present during the loading process to ensure the highest standards of welfare are maintained.

Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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I thank the Minister for his answer. From speaking to farmers and not from speaking to animal welfare activists, many of them find the trade in live exports quite objectionable. As farmers who care for their animals and who have a long tradition of caring for their animals, they would say it makes more sense and the right thing to do is to slaughter these animals at home as much as possible. There is a trade in live export to the European Union and to north Africa. I do not believe it is a critical part of the market. It is certainly small numbers compared with the total beef kill nationally. However, for as long as it exists, we need to ensure the highest standards. It is not acceptable that it should be on select voyages to north Africa and elsewhere. We should maximise the veterinary presence on these shipments.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I absolutely agree with the Deputy. The welfare of animals must be paramount, and the comfort and welfare of those animals must be assured on any journeys undertaken. The conditions of travel, etc., must be appropriate for the animals. It is an important market outlet. In the past, nearly all our animals were exported live without much processing. It is now a small part of our overall livestock sector, but an important part nonetheless. It offers an important outlet in terms of balancing the market and making sure outlets other than going straight to the factory for processing are available. I certainly think the farming community want to see it continue.

I come from a farming background, as many of the rest of us in the Chamber might be. Along with those of us who are not from a farming background, we want to ensure animal welfare is central and protected. That applies to any journey they undertake as live exports. The processes and oversights we have in place are very strong and, as I said in my initial response, we are seeking to enhance that further by training additional veterinarians to accompany live export trips as well as overseeing the loading and management.

Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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I understand there is a risk of legal challenge by exporters if we require a vet on every shipment. However, we should call the exporters’ bluff on this matter if that is what they are saying to us. As a food exporting nation, we need to be careful we maintain our reputation for high-quality produce and that our food is produced to the highest standards. I think this falls very much into that category. I know the Minister is particularly conscious of the need to maintain that reputation. We should do everything we can to ensure the absolute confidence in the welfare of animals that are exported overseas. We should move to end the live trade export practice altogether.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I respect the Deputy’s position; I have a different view. However, we all agree on the imperative of animal welfare, maintaining their well-being and making sure they are in comfortable circumstances at all times and especially when they are travelling. I believe the rules and regulations we have in place are robust and strong. We are providing additional oversight through the training of additional veterinarians. It is an important outlet for the market as well. The key point is that the rules and conditions under which those animals travel are absolutely appropriate and have proper oversight. We will continue to maintain and further develop that.