Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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905. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role his Department played in the events that resulted in the postponement and potential cancellation of a shipment of cattle exports to Algeria; if his Department will play a constructive role in facilitating future shipments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6647/20]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The export of live animals is a matter for private operators. In the case of the export in question, as with all other exports, the function of my Department was to ensure that all of the conditions of certification are met prior to export. These conditions relate to the health and welfare of the animals, and are generally set by the country of import.

In this case, my Department has worked closely and constructively with the exporter to ensure that the conditions of certification can be met.

Without the work of my Department, and its strong reputation for enforcement and integrity, there would be no live trade to Algeria or anywhere else.  My Department has worked hard to negotiate a certificate for the livestock trade with Algeria, and these efforts included a trade visit to the Country in February 2020. The Department will continue to work constructively with exporters and to ensure that the conditions for export certification are met.

During my tenure as Minister, live exports numbers have doubled.