Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 519: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she will take with her UK counterparts to ensure that no lamb is being exported from Scotland, England or Wales via Northern Ireland into the Republic in view of the impact that this would have on disease control; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18939/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Trade in sheep between member states is governed by EU legislation which prescribes the conditions for trade which vary by reference to the category of sheep involved. For all categories it is a requirement that a veterinary inspector must satisfy, inter alia, that the sheep were resident on the holding of origin for 30 days, or 21 days for slaughter sheep, and that no sheep were moved onto the holding during the previous 21 days.

In general, the forgoing rules apply to imports of all sheep into Ireland. However, as part of developing an all-island animal health strategy, a derogation is applied in the case of sheep from Northern Ireland which are for immediate slaughter. However, all sheep must be accompanied by an intra-community health certificate.

I am advised that specific measures are operated by the Northern Ireland authorities to control the movement of sheep into Northern Ireland from other parts of the United Kingdom. However, it should be noted that under EU rules sheep from Great Britain may be imported legitimately provided they are properly certified.