John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the number of businesses that will be lost if a border inspection post is not provided here for the importation of category O animals; the steps he has taken to provide such a facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43849/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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EU legislation governing trade into the EU stipulates that all animals and animal products entering the EU from a country outside the EU (a Third Country) must undergo veterinary and documentary checks at the point of entry before release into transit, to final destination or into free circulation within the Community. These rules are aimed at the overall protection of animal and public health within the EU territory and the prevention of the introduction of diseases or pests into the Community.

During the course of an audit carried out by the EU Food and Veterinary Office in April 2008, various shortcomings were identified in relation to the facilities provided for "Category O – live animals" at both Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) in Ireland located at Dublin and Shannon Airports approved for the inspection of this category.

My Department immediately requested an assessment to be carried out by the Office of Public Works (OPW) with regard to the remedial action required at these locations and an initial estimate of expenditure was provided. The costs were such that in view of the current economic climate and the existing level of trade, neither my Department nor the relevant Airport Authority were in a position to make the financial investment required to fund the required upgrades to these facilities in order to maintain the ongoing approval of category "O" at the BIPs in Dublin and Shannon airports.

Since August, imports of live animal consignments from Third Countries have taken place smoothly and trade has continued unabated, with Irish businesses making alternative arrangements to have their consignments checked at a BIP in another Member State authorized for the checking of live animals. The consignments then enter into free circulation within the EU and continue their journey to their final destination in Ireland.