Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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1134. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of an EU regulation that is affecting the export of ram lambs intended for fattening that requires testing for Brucella Ovis and is becoming an obstacle to live exports of lambs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30414/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department is responsible for regulating trade in live animals, in line with the legislation. It is currently a requirement under EU Animal Health Law legislation that entire male sheep being moved to another EU country are blood sampled and have a negative test result for Brucella Ovis if they are not consigned from their country of origin, either directly or through an assembly operation, to a slaughterhouse.

Intra-community movement certification for live animals can only be issued when the animals meet all the requirements of the regulations. Consequently, entire male lambs going for fattening or further feeding require a valid negative Brucella Ovis test within the 30-day period prior to movement to another Member State, to meet current certification rules.

I am aware that trade in live animals continues to be important to Irish farming and that it is highly valued by the farming community as it provides an alternative market outlet. My Department has raised this requirement with the EU Commission, asking that delegated regulation 2020/688 be amended so that Brucella Ovis blood testing is not required for un-castrated male sheep which are ultimately intended for slaughter but may require a period of fattening.

However, the Commission have concluded, having considered current scientific opinion and International standards, that the current EU requirements are proportionate and therefore this testing requirement remains in place.