Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which live farm animals are imported into this country; the countries from which they come; if adequate disease prevention regulations are applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2288/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Figures for imports are not maintained centrally or in a manner to reply to the first two parts of the Deputy's question.

The movement of animals from one member state to another is governed by Community legislation. This legislation requires that animals moved from one member state to another are accompanied by a health certificate which is endorsed by an official veterinarian authorised by the competent authority in the country of export. The health certificate guarantees that the animals: are not to be destroyed under a scheme to eradicate a contagious or infectious disease; were not obtained from a holding which is the subject of a prohibition on animal health grounds and that they have not been in contact with animals from such a holding; do not come from a holding nor have been in contact with animals from a protection zone which has been set up under Community legislation; are not subject to animal health measures pursuant to Community legislation on foot and mouth disease.

It is also a requirement of certification that the animals have been inspected by an official veterinarian within 24 hours of export and display no clinical signs of a disease. In addition, animals moved from one member state to another must observe residency and standstill periods.

There is also an obligation on the competent authority in the exporting member state to send a notification of movement of animals to the competent authority in the importing member state via the trade control and export system.

Animals may only be imported from outside the European Union if the third country in question is authorised by the European Commission and must be accompanied by a health certificate. My Department ensures that the importation of cattle, sheep and pigs from other member states and third countries is done in accordance with the appropriate Community legislation.