Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide a monthly breakdown for 2007 and 2008 of the number of sheep slaughtered here which were bred in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37080/08]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 453: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the monthly breakdown for 2007 and 2008 of the number of sheep slaughtered in the Republic of Ireland that were imported from Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37250/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 428 and 453 together.

My Department collects data on a weekly basis on the number of sheep imported from or through Northern Ireland which are slaughtered in plants under the supervision of the Department. A small number of these would have originated in Great Britain or beyond. Figures for 2007 and 2008, to date, are shown in the following table. My Department does not, however, have data on the number of sheep slaughtered here that were bred in Northern Ireland.

The trade in sheep between both parts of the island of Ireland is a long-standing feature of the sheep industry in Ireland and enables producers on both sides of the border to benefit from the advantages of competition in the marketplace. Trade takes place in both directions and is influenced by geographical factors, currency fluctuations and market conditions generally.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 429: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the remaining impediments preventing live sheep trade between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37081/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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There is no prohibition on the movement of sheep between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Since the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 and arising from certain concerns relating to scrapie, exports of sheep for breeding or production must comply with normal rules for intra-community trade. In particular, sheep being exported must be accompanied by an appropriate EU health certificate, meet prescribed residency rules and comply with genotype requirements. I am arranging to forward a summary of the conditions applicable to this trade to the Deputy.