Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 562: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will clarify the regulations and obligations regarding the importation from the UK of animals (details supplied); if these animals, when imported, will be subject to the same regulations governing tuberculosis and brucellosis testing as currently apply for bovines here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22264/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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EU legislation governing intra community trade in cattle prescribes the conditions for trade and these rules also apply to the importation of water buffaloes from the UK. All cattle imported into Ireland from the UK must be accompanied by an official health certificate from DEFRA as the competent authority of the exporting country confirming that the animals have undergone all appropriate tests and have not come from an area affected by any animal disease. In the case of bovines (including water buffaloes) such tests include bovine TB, brucellosis and leucosis.

In addition, all of the territory of Great Britain is included in a bluetongue Protection Zone. As such, additional certification for this disease applies to susceptible animals (including water buffaloes) from such zones. As Ireland is free of bluetongue it has availed of arrangements whereby it can limit the type of animals to be imported to those under 90 days old OR to those who have proven natural or vaccinal immunity to bluetongue (and only then if they pass particular pre-export tests and are treated with insecticide prior to and during transport). These immune animals will not develop a viraemia. Additional rules apply to female animals due to the established risk of possible transplacental transmission of bluetongue.

Certification issues will arise regarding vaccination of water buffalo for bluetongue. It is my understanding that the current EMEA approved vaccines for bluetongue are not authorised for water buffalo. However as the intended import is from the UK it is a matter for DEFRA to decide on this matter. If DEFRA cannot certify vaccination, they will not be in a position to issue a health certificate thus export of this species from Great Britain to Ireland cannot take place or will be confined to animals under 90 days old.

I have consistently advised that all importers should not import any animals from bluetongue-affected areas as the highest risk of the introduction of the disease into Ireland is via an imported animal. By so doing they are putting their farms and the entire industry in jeopardy. If importers choose to ignore this advice and post-import testing shows that an imported animal is bluetongue virus positive, it will be immediately slaughtered without compensation. Importers should be aware of the financial exposure as well as the disease risk they are facing both to their own herd and to the national herd.