Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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233. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 862 of 28 September 2021, if he has taken into account concern for the welfare of the animals once they arrive in China; and if his attention has been drawn to the likely treatment that they face (details supplied). [50006/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The export of animals plays an important part in stimulating price competition and providing alternative market outlets for farmers. They are highly valued by the Irish agricultural sector for this reason. Live exports however are only possible with the highest of animal welfare standards during transport, and EU legislation allows for these journeys to take place as long as these standards are adhered to throughout the journey including those parts of the journey that lie outside the European Union.

The trade in and the export of animals is a private commercial activity but it is heavily regulated by European Law which my Department enforces. All live export shipments from Ireland are conducted in full compliance with legislative requirements. All proposed journeys must be notified to the Regional Veterinary Office in advance, and veterinary certification will only be provided where the journey complies with all animal transport and animal welfare regulations. This includes a requirement to notify the Regional Veterinary Office of the outcome of the journey once completed, and the condition of the animals on arrival.

I readily acknowledge the genuine concerns expressed by animal protection organisations in Ireland about standards of animal welfare in countries outside the EU. My Department, in cooperation with our EU partners, works closely with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) with a view to improving animal welfare practices worldwide. The OIE is the global standard setting body relating to animal health and animal welfare. It is through this forum that we influence standards in other countries.

Ireland has been a member of the OIE European Platform Steering Committee on Animal Welfare since its creation in 2013 and has offered financial support and technical inputs for the development of the OIE Platform action plans, with a particular focus on the transport and slaughter.

With regard to this particular trade opportunity, I would like to point out that these animals in question are high value, high genetic merit animals and as such are handled particularly carefully by their owners and transporters. The EU has one of the highest standards in the world of animal welfare. Trade with the EU can be a stimulating factor for other countries to attain EU standards.

In summary, live exports are highly valued by Irish farmers, and the Department facilitates this commercial trade while ensuring that live animal exports meet the highest welfare standards.