Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she will take to facilitate the live export of lambs to the UK and France; if she will address the current holding period restriction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17302/05]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food , further to Parliamentary Question No. 258 of 17 May 2005, the steps she will take to facilitate the live export of lambs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17316/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 75 together.

I am always prepared to facilitate trade in live sheep which, of course, must take place in accordance with EU rules governing such intra-Community trade. Trade in sheep between member states of the European Union is subject to the provisions of, inter alia, Council Directive 2003/50/EC which amends Council Directive 91/68/EEC, as regards reinforced controls on the movement of sheep and goats.

The controls provide as a minimum requirement, that breeding and fattening sheep must be certified as having been continuously resident on a holding for at least 30 days prior to export and that no sheep or goats had been introduced on to the holding in the 21 days prior to export. Slaughter sheep must also be certified as having been continuously resident on the holding of origin for at least 21 days prior to export and are also subject to a "standstill" period of 21 days prior to dispatch during which no sheep or goats have been introduced on to the holding of origin.

These controls were introduced in the aftermath of the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 and came into effect on 1 July 2004. It is not possible to unilaterally change these rules.