Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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226. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider implementing a ban on the live exports which exceed eight hours in duration, and if he has concerns about the treatment of animals exported from Ireland to Libya or the Middle East once the animals have reached their destination. [23069/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has a strict system of rules in respect of the transport of live animals both on national and international journeys. These rules are implemented in the context of Council Regulation (EC) 1/2005, which has made a significant contribution to animal welfare during transport. Provisions in the EU regulation relating to the training of drivers, the authorisation of transporters and improved vehicle specifications have all been very beneficial. The safeguards provided by the existing regulation are well considered and scientifically sound and experience has shown that animals can arrive in perfect health after a long journey if the specification on rests and feeding/watering as set down in Council Regulation (EC) 1/2005 are correctly observed.

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. This is justified not only on sound animal welfare reasons but also because it reflects the nature of the shipping routes from this island. 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 organisations, 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. My Department is conscious of the need to balance this trade with the requirements of the indigenous meat processing industry and seeks to ensure that any such trade is carried out to a high standard.