Written answers

Tuesday, 22 January 2013

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Live Exports

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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561. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the transport of live animals to African and Middle Eastern countries is conforming to the guidelines of the International Animal Health Organisation; the type of inspection of the ships that will be undertaken; his views on standards of slaughter houses in these countries; his view on whether in exporting live animals we are exporting jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2964/13]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has a strict system of transport rules in respect of both national and international journeys. The current Irish regulation in relation to the approval of ships for livestock transport is set higher than that which applies in other EU Member States. Detailed inspections are required before approval is given to ships transporting animals. The requirements for approval of dedicated vessels for the carriage of cattle by sea are contained in the Diseases of Animals (Carriage of Cattle by Sea) Orders, 1996 and 1998.

My Department has no jurisdiction in relation to standards of slaughter plants in other countries. However, it does support ongoing efforts by International Organisation, such as the OIE, to improve welfare standards at slaughter plants worldwide.

The live export trade provides alternative market outlets for certain categories of livestock, thereby serving a market demand and providing increased competition in the market place for cattle. While my Department is conscious of the need to balance this trade with the requirements of the indigenous meat processing industry, it cannot interfere with such legitimate trade and legitimate competition, but it does seek to ensure that any such trade is carried out to a high standard.

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