Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1187. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections of transport vehicles of exporters of live animals in each of the years from 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the locations such inspections normally occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19828/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Under SI 675 of 2006 European Communities (Animal Transport and Control Post) Regulations 2006, all vehicles employed in the Type 2 export of animals from this jurisdiction must be authorised before transport can be initiated. This approval process is carried out by officials of my Department and can be performed at any nominated location with the site usually decided by agreement between the transporter and my Department’s officers. The length of duration of vehicle approval is at the discretion of the approving official but may not exceed a maximum period of five years.

Vehicles are also inspected at various points of the journey to ensure that those already approved continue to comply with the high standards set under current legislation. The locations where this extended scrutiny is carried out can vary depending on the animals being exported. Some of the sites where vehicles are assessed for compliance with regulations include assembly centres, quarantine stations or isolation centres, farms, livestock markets and shipping ports.

The Department is aware of the imperative to ensure that the transport of animals over long distances is conducted in a manner which safeguards the animals being transported. The Deputy can be assured that rigorous controls and procedures are in place to ensure compliance with legislation.

Figures for the inspection of vehicles during transport are set out in the following Table. Statistics on the number of inspections carried out in 2017 are not available but are generally in line with previous years. I will forward them to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1188. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if exported animals are free loaded onto ships; if so, the regulations which govern the health and safety of animals not being transported in road vehicles; the way inspections take place in such situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19829/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Exports of live animals from Ireland utilise both (i) “Roll on – Roll off” ferries, where the animals remain in approved transport vehicles and (ii) dedicated livestock vessels.

The specific legislation relating to the transport of live animals are EU Council Regulation (EC) 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations which is given legal effect in Ireland by S.I. No. 675 of 2006 and the Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016 (S.I. 356 of 2016) which regulates the transport of animals by sea in livestock vessels. My Department has availed of provisions in the European legislation which allows for stricter national rules to be implemented in relation to sea transport and we continue to apply stricter and more detailed requirements than those provided for in EU legislation in this area.

Live animals destined for export are also subject to EU regulations relating to animal health and welfare as well as to certification requirements agreed between Ireland and third country authorities. Cattle destined for live export are monitored by Department Veterinary Inspectors at the time of loading and during the prescribed isolation period in Ireland where an isolation period is required by the importing country. This is in addition to any inspections that may be carried out by Official Veterinarians from the country of destination of the animals. Private Veterinary Practitioners (PVP) also undertake the testing and certification required prior to export. Only animals certified fit to travel are loaded onto trucks under the supervision of Department Veterinary Inspectors. At Port of departure, the animals are unloaded from the trucks and walk onto the dedicated livestock ship and this process is also supervised by my Department officials. Cattle who are penned on board a livestock ship will typically be in very similar conditions to any feedlot situation.

Irish legislative standards for sea transport are recognised by the EU Commission as being amongst the most effective and stringent legislation in force as regards transport by sea. Only ships that have been surveyed and approved by independent Marine Surveyor in conjunction with Department Veterinary Inspectors can load cattle for export from Ireland.

At the time of the first shipment of cattle to Turkey at end of September 2016, a PVP accompanied the load from Ireland to Turkey. My Department arranged for a Veterinary Inspector to fly to Turkey to monitor the cattle on arrival and at unloading. In all cases to date the feedback as regards the welfare, quality and health of the Irish cattle that have been transported by boat to Turkey has been very positive.