Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action she has taken in relation to the regulation of the transport of consignments of dogs within the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24234/06]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action she has taken to regulate the transportation standards, including minimum space requirements, ventilation, route plans, journey durations, feeding and watering intervals for the export of consignments of dogs to other jurisdictions, including the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24235/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.

Council Directive 91/628/EEC on the protection of animals during transport, as transposed by the recently adopted European Communities (Protection of Animals during Transport) Regulations 2006, sets down the conditions for the transport of dogs within Ireland and to and from Ireland. The legislation does not apply to non-commercial transport or to the transport of pet animals accompanying their owners on private journeys or to the transport of animals over distances of less than 50 km.

Provisions in the legislation include inter alia requirements that transporters must ensure that the animals are fit for transport and that they are accommodated so as to avoid risk of injury or unnecessary suffering. Animals must be provided with adequate ventilation and space to stand naturally and to lie down. Food and water must be available to the animals so that they can be fed at intervals not exceeding 24 hours and watered at intervals not exceeding 12 hours.

The legislation also requires that transport of animals by air must be undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the latest edition of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) live animals Regulations. These Regulations relate to international standards for containers, pens or stalls appropriate for the transport of live animals by air. The IATA is a self regulating body that represents airlines in promoting safe, reliable and secure air services.

In March 2004 my Department introduced a system of registration of transporters of dogs for commercial purposes and the inspection of vehicles engaging in such transport to the Continent. Commercial consignments of dogs are examined and certified prior to departure to ensure compliance with the provisions of EU and national legislation. However, these requirements do not apply in respect of commercial consignments to the UK and vice versa due to the common rabies-free status of both territories. Nevertheless commercial consignments transiting ports or airports are liable to random welfare inspections.

Council Regulation (EC) 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations will come into operation on 5 January 2007. This Regulation replaces Council Directive 91/628/EEC and will introduce additional conditions in relation to the authorisation of the mode of transport, loading and unloading facilities and in particular the training of transporters and operators. I believe that this Regulation will further improve the conditions under which animals are transported throughout the European Union. My Department is currently preparing legislation to provide for implementation of the Council Regulation.