Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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1199. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that new regulations introduced in January 2017 mean that cattle presented at a mart but not sold are not eligible for export for 30 days and that this is having a detrimental effect on the cattle trade and on exporters' ability to fulfil their contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35915/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Under EU legislation, cattle for export within the EU must complete a 30 day residency period on a holding prior to export.  The animal must have been resident on this holding within 29 days of moving to an assembly centre for export.

Subsequent to moving from this 30 day holding, an animal may move one time through a mart, followed by one time through a dealer’s holding, in that order. No further moves are permitted – this therefore removes the possibility of multiple moves of cattle before moving to an assembly centre which was possible under the previous arrangements but which was not in compliance with EU regulations.

The pre-export check carried out by my Department was modified on 3rd April to ensure that cattle presented for export comply with the legislation.  The Department’s AIM computer system carries out verification checks on compliance with the residency requirement.  Cattle presented for export that do not meet the eligibility requirements are rejected by the system. The evidence shows that the new arrangements are operating with minimal disruption.

Earlier this year, I reduced the veterinary inspection fees payable on live exports of younger bovines in order to remove the disproportionate impact of these fees on exports of calves relative to older animals.

At a meeting I called with live exporters in April I stressed that my Department considers the live export sector to be of great importance, particularly given Brexit and the expansion of the dairy herd. The ongoing search for new third country markets is a priority for my Department.  I welcome the fact that exports of live cattle to date in 2017 have increased by more than 40% compared to the same period last year.