Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, at any joint meeting with her counterpart in Northern Ireland, the movement of animals across the island was discussed; the items that were discussed; and if anything was agreed in relation to this matter. [40806/06]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reasons preventing the trade of cattle across the island of Ireland; and the action plan he has in place to remove any reasons preventing the movement of cattle across the island freely. [40807/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.

A number of meetings involving officials from my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Belfast have taken place to co-ordinate arrangements in relation to the import of cattle from Northern Ireland following the decision at EU level to lift the BSE ban on exports from the United Kingdom from 3 May 2006.

I can confirm that arrangements have been put in place between the two administrations to facilitate the trade of cattle from Northern Ireland for slaughter and for breeding and production based on EU trading requirements relating to such trade.