Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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453. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the appalling conditions that 3,000 bulls and heifers were subjected to on 30 May 2023 on a shipment of cattle that left Greenore Port in Ireland, with the destination of Haifa port in Israel; the animal welfare regulations and inspections that are in place to prevent these cruel conditions; if there are animal welfare agreements in place with countries that Ireland exports livestock to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32338/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that a shipment of cattle left Ireland on 30th May, 2023. Animals exported from Ireland must be transported in compliance with EU animal welfare rules, and with Ireland’s national rules for sea transport of livestock introduced by my Department, which go beyond EU rules.

Vessels can only be used after being inspected by a specialised veterinarian and a marine engineer. Each loading of livestock onto dedicated vessels for export to non-EU countries is monitored and supervised by a team of experienced Department officials, both at the assembly centre and at the exit port. The Department assess and approves such voyages only where the requirements of the legislation are met by the operators. The consignment of cattle referred to underwent the required level of supervision and control as outlined above.

Export agreements to third countries are negotiated on a case-by-case basis. My Department is involved in work aimed at supporting and improving animal welfare standards in the EU’s trading partner countries. In cooperation with our EU partners, we work closely with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) to improve animal welfare practices worldwide. WOAH 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.

In summary, live exports are highly valued by the agri-business sector. My Department facilitates this commercial trade while ensuring that live animal exports are carried out in compliance with legislative welfare standards.