Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1089: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a Middle Eastern Airways flight landed in Ireland last week with a consignment of animals to be transported to a laboratory in County Mayo for experimentation; if he has any information on the frequency of these flights; the fact an airport in the west refused to accept a weekly flight; the import licence under which they are working; the number of import licences that have been issued in 2012; which species were catered for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18052/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Licences in respect of the importation of experimental animals are issued under the Diseases of Animals Act, 1966 Rabies (Importation, Landing and Movement of Animals) Orders, 1972 & 1976. A total of 187 Licences have been issued this year to date in respect of rodents from outside the EU (USA), and rodents and rabbits originating within the EU. All animals entering the EU must be cleared for entry at an approved Border Inspection Post (BIP). Irish BIPs are not approved for the landing of certain categories of animals such as rodents and therefore such animals originating in the USA and destined for Ireland were cleared through Frankfurt Airport BIP.