Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to amend the law to prohibit the live export of animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47971/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The export of animals is regulated at EU level. As regards animal welfare, the EU has had rules governing animal welfare during transport since 1977 while the EU rules on animal health are in place since the 1960’s. These rules aim to eliminate technical barriers to trade in live animals and to allow market organisations to operate smoothly, while ensuring a satisfactory level of welfare protection for the animals concerned and a satisfactory level of control in relation to the health risks associated with the movement of animals.