Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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862. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will halt plans to export live Irish pigs to China given the cruelty involved in live export (details supplied). [46650/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to assure the Deputy that the Department deploys considerable resources to protecting animal welfare during transport. In regard of the recent agreement signed with China to export breeding pigs to that country, animal welfare requirements during transport must be in accordance with EU rules, which are set out primarily in Council Regulation (EC) no 1/2005 on the Protection of Animals during Transport and Related Operations and associated national legislation.

The Regulation sets out legal measures to ensure animal welfare during transport, and has specific provisions on air transport of pigs to safeguard their welfare throughout the journey. It also refers to the need for conditions during transport to comply with International Air Transport Association (IATA) live animals Regulations.

- Pigs are transported in specially designed pens or containers appropriate to their species and size which comply with IATA Regulations.

- They are transported only in conditions where air quality, temperature and pressure can be maintained within an appropriate range during the entire journey, having regard to the animals’ specific needs.

- Maximum loading densities for pigs are set which must not be exceeded, in order to protect their welfare.

Officials veterinarians of my Department assess journey plans and monitor loading to ensure that welfare legislation is complied with. The high genetic merit breeding pigs that will be transported to China will be transported with every possible measure to minimise any risk of injury and suffering.

The Department takes its responsibilities in the matters of regulating this trade, and of protecting animal welfare, very seriously - it exercises close oversight, and deploys considerable resources to the area of animal welfare in general, including in respect of animals being transported.