Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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299. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of plans to export 5000 calves from Waterford to the Netherlands on the MV Alondra in April; the health risks such a trip exposes these animals to; if there have been any subsidies provided to cover the trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6879/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The trade in and the export of animals is a private commercial activity, but it is heavily regulated by European and National law which my Department enforces. In order for a dedicated livestock vessel to operate out of Ireland it must be approved by my Department in accordance with the provisions of Statutory Instrument (S.I.) No. 356/2016 - Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016. The dedicated livestock vessel MV Alondra is approved by my Department under S.I . No 356 /2016 to transport cattle and sheep.

S.I No. 356/2016 requires the owner of an approved vessel to give 5 working days advance notice in writing to my Department of any proposal to load the vessel with livestock in the State. In the event that my Department receives written notification of a proposal to load an approved vessel with calves within the state the necessary resources will be put in place to ensure a high level of animal health and welfare prior to loading and during the voyage.