Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 736: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there is a plan to reduce the 45 day detention period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14381/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 777: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to the 45 day retention period when persons are buying and selling cattle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14795/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take questions 736 and 777 together.

On 4 April 2007, I adopted legislation which amended the arrangements relating to the 45 day rule in relation to cattle and pigs. The changes follow on from a detailed review of the current legal framework for dealers and in the context of complying with EU legislation governing dealers.

The most significant changes in the new legislation are: dealers in cattle and pigs are defined as those who buy and resell within 30 days rather than within 45 days as was previously the case; farmers and others who buy and resell not more than 100 cattle or 100 pigs within 30 days in any 12 month period are exempted from the legislation; and agents who act exclusively on behalf of dealers, exporters, factories and private individuals are excluded from the definition of dealer.

The new legislation requires those who buy and resell cattle or pigs within 30 days to register as dealers and to comply with arrangements relating to the welfare and transport of animals, standards and the upkeep of premises, keeping of records and compliance with animal notification and disease testing procedures.

The 45-day registration rule was introduced in the context of the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in 2001 when it was considered that animal movements had to be managed in a manner that would minimise the spread of disease. I am satisfied that in the current circumstances, it is appropriate to replace the 45-day rule for registration as a dealer with a 30-day rule. This new legislation will also remove certain categories from the scope of the legislation and reduce the administrative burden on individuals and the sector in a manner that will maintain the necessary disease control and traceability elements of the legislation relating to dealers.