Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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178. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a matter regarding the 30 day rule will be addressed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9994/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Live exports are a critical part of Ireland’s livestock industry. They play a significant role in stimulating price competition and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers.

I am pleased that in 2018 live exports of cattle increased by over 30% to 246,000 head compared to 2017. This change was driven by a significant increase in calf exports to other EU countries (159, 000 head in 2018). Calf exports to Spain in 2018 increased by 66% on 2017, to over 72,500 head. Exports of Irish calves to Italy and the Netherlands also increased last year, to over 12,500 and 48,500 head respectively. Calf exports to Belgium increased from 4,200 to 13,000 head, from 2017 to 2018. In 2017 I reduced the veterinary inspection fee payable on live exports of calves less than three months of age from €4.80 to €1.20, which has brought greater equity to the inspection fee regime.

It is a requirement under EU law that cattle exported from Ireland within the EU must complete a residency period on a holding prior to export. The animal must have been resident on a single holding for 30 days or more, within 29 days of moving to an assembly centre for export. Subsequent to moving from the holding, an animal may move one time through a mart and/or one time through a dealer’s holding, in that order. No further moves are permitted. The 30 days holding of origin and any dealer holding must be free from all TB restrictions at time of export.

To check on compliance with the requirements, additional validation checks on the residency requirement were introduced by the Department on the Animal Identification and Movement System in April 2017.