Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change)
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1092. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the European intervention that has been taken to resolve the situation in which 2,500 cows are stranded on the high seas since they left Spain on 18 December 2020 (details supplied); if he will intervene with his European counterparts to organise a quarantine arrangement for these cattle in safe conditions and to have them disembarked from the ships as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12023/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The welfare of animals during transport is of paramount importance to me and to my Department. The specific matter that the Deputy raises is an issue for the Member State who certified the consignment for export and for the European Commission. It is not appropriate for me to comment further on that specific matter.

My Department implements a stringent system of controls on the welfare of animals being exported from Ireland, in particular through a comprehensive legislative framework relating to the transport of animals by sea (The Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016 (S.I. 356 of 2016). Ships must be approved by my Department in advance of exporting cattle from Ireland. Furthermore, animals are inspected and certified by Official Veterinarians from the Department with regard to their health status and fitness for travel.

My Department will continue to work closely with other EU Member States and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), with a view to improving animal welfare practices worldwide.