John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the number of live goats imported into the State in the year 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43018/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The movement of goats within the EU is governed by Council Directive 91/68 of 28 January 1991 which lays down specific rules (e.g. prohibition of contact with other animals during the travel, cleaning and disinfection of means of transport, etc.) to be respected during the movement of ovine and caprine animals from the holding of origin to the final destination to try to avoid any possible spread of serious disease in the EU. All movements between Member States must be accompanied by veterinary certification and must be notified to the recipient Member State via an on-line movement system (TRACES). The number of ‘imports’ of goats notified through the TRACES system in 2011 was 18.