Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 1020: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will instruct his officials to issue cattle movement permits from restricted holdings by e-mail or fax to the relevant meat factories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38275/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Under Article 19 (1)(a)(ii) of the Bovine Tuberculosis Order 1989, an animal cannot be moved out of a restricted herd into a slaughter premises unless at the time of its entry it is accompanied by a movement permit. Movement permits are issued at the discretion of a Veterinary Inspector or an Authorised Officer. The current arrangements are such that these permits cannot be authorised electronically. I should point out, however, that the permits can be posted out to herd-owners, thereby obviating the need for herd-owners, to travel to the DVO. The Department is at present examining the practicalities involved in issuing movement permits electronically, taking account of legal considerations, including verification of permits.