Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 432: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the exemptions from EU directives or regulations that Ireland has achieved in her Department's competency area; the reason her Department requested each exemption; if it is intended to give up any of these exemptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33846/05]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 433: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the exemptions from EU directives or regulations that her Department is seeking; the reason her Department is requesting each exemption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33861/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 432 and 433 together.

My Department sought and was granted an exemption from one of the provisions of Council Directive 2003/50/EC amending Directive 91/68/EEC as regards reinforcement of controls on movements of ovine and caprine animals. These 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.

The exemption in question is from the standstill and residency certification requirement in respect of sheep being exported to or from Ireland or Northern Ireland for immediate slaughter. It was sought to overcome practical problems with regard to certification without unduly diminishing the overall controls on animal movement while at the same time preserving the traditional trade between North and South. The arrangements between the two jurisdictions on the island are also based on a shared wish on the part of both sides to move towards an all island animal health strategy.

The need for retention of this exemption is being considered in the light of changes to certification which were agreed to at my request at a meeting of the standing committee on the food chain and animal health on 11 November last.