Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to her reply to Parliamentary 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 UK; the inspection procedure in place to ensure the regulations are complied with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23854/06]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 379: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to her reply to Parliamentary 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 to these regulations, and if so, the restrictions to ensure that such a derogation is not abused; the inspection procedure in place to ensure that the regulations are complied with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23855/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 378 and 379 together.

EU legislation governing intra-community trade in sheep 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 be satisfied, inter alia, that the sheep were resident on the holding of origin for 30 days (21 days for slaughter sheep) and that no sheep were moved onto the holding during the previous 21 days. However, as part of the development of an all-island animal health strategy, a derogation is applied from these requirements in the case of trade in sheep to and from Northern Ireland which are for immediate slaughter.

There is no derogation from the requirement that all sheep for intra-community trade must be accompanied by the necessary intra-community health certification. I understand 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 and, under EU rules, sheep from Great Britain may be imported legitimately into this State provided they are accompanied by the necessary intra-community health certification.