Written answers

Wednesday, 21 March 2007

Department of Agriculture and Food

Animal Welfare

11:00 pm

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the precise legal basis upon which a certificate of competence under the European Communities (Animal Transport and Control Post) Regulations 2006 will be issued in relation to the transport of non-equine, non-bovine, non-ovine, non-caprine, or non-porcine animal or non-poultry animals such as greyhounds; if it is necessary or legally possible for a transporter to obtain a certificate of competence in relation to the transportation of animals not apparently covered by the aforementioned legislation including all vertebrates apart from those specifically mentioned in section 4(1) of S.I. No. 675 of 2006; and the reason in view of the fact that the scope of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 apparently includes all vertebrate animals, its implementing legislation S.I. No. 675 of 2006 only appears to cover the transport of bovine, ovine, caprine, or porcine animal or poultry animals. [10836/07]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations is in operation in its entirety in all Member States since 5 January 2007. Its purpose is to harmonise and improve the standards for the welfare and protection of all vertebrate animals during transport by setting down the requirements and conditions for the protection of animals during transport.

The European Communities (Animal Transport and Control Post) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 675 of 2006) gives full legal effect to the Council Regulation in Ireland, including the provisions regarding transport authorisations, vehicle and livestock vessel approvals and mechanisms for ensuring compliance with the Regulation.

Regulation 4 of the European Communities (Animal Transport and Control Post) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 675 of 2006) gives legal effect to Article 6(5) of the Council Regulation which specifically requires a person who drives or acts as an attendant on a road vehicle transporting horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry, from 5 January 2008 to hold a certificate of competence.

The Council has noted that specific proposals in relation to the transport of poultry, cats and dogs will be formulated when the relevant opinions of the European Food Safety Authority are made available. It would not be appropriate for my Department to introduce requirements that are beyond the scope of the Council Regulation in advance of such proposals.

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