Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 355: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food, further to Question No. 258 of 17 May 2005, if the same regulations are applied on the import of lamb direct from the UK or via Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK; if the inspection procedure is in place in order that the regulations are complied with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18070/05]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 356: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food, further to Question No. 258 of 17 May 2005, if the same regulations are applied on the import of lamb direct from Northern Ireland; if the Northern Ireland authorities have a derogation from these regulations; if so, the restrictions there are in order that such a derogation is not abused; the inspection procedure in place in order that the regulations are complied with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18071/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together.

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. These controls, which were introduced in the aftermath of the foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2001, came into effect on 1 July 2004.

They 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, including a standstill period of 21 days prior to export during which time no sheep or goats have been introduced on to the holding. Slaughter sheep require a 21-day residency period and a 21-day standstill period but the standstill period may be derogated from in the case of sheep going directly for slaughter from the holding of origin. In accordance with EU veterinary certification requirements under this directive, all sheep that are exported to another member state must be certified as to their health status by an official veterinarian within 24 hours of departure.

The foregoing arrangements apply to trade in sheep to and-or from the United Kingdom except that derogations from the residency and standstill arrangements are applied in the case of trade in sheep for slaughter to and from Northern Ireland. The sheep, however, must be inspected and certified for export within 24 hours of export.

I am advised that specific measures are applied by DARD, Northern Ireland, to monitor movements of sheep from Great Britain into Northern Ireland.