The trade in and export of animals is a private commercial activity which is regulated by the Department in accordance with EU and National Regulations. Relevant EU and National Regulations for this sector include Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations, S.I. No. 675/2006 European Communities (Animal Transport and Control Post) Regulations 2006, S.I. No. 580/2007 - Diseases of Animals (Animal Transport) (Roll-On Roll-Off Vessels) Order 2007 and S.I. No. 356/2016 - Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016.
The animals were subjected to veterinary inspection prior to transport, ensuring that they were fit for transport in terms of stage of pregnancy and all other fitness requirements in compliance with relevant provisions of national and EU regulations to allow them to be transported out of Ireland. The Department has been informed that no injuries, or deaths occurred during their transport to Spain.
The animals were transported onwards from Spain by a dedicated livestock vessel to Libya. Animals exported by livestock vessel from a Member State other than Ireland to a third country are transported in accordance with the relevant provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 on animal welfare during transport and related operations, as implemented and enforced by the veterinary authorities of all EU Member States.
My Department continues to collaborate closely with other EU Member States, the European Commission and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OIE) with a view to improving animal welfare standards in third countries, as well as improving and standardising animal welfare during transport. Specifically, Ireland has committed to annual funding of €75,000 in support of WOAH capacity-building activities relating to the welfare of animals in the context of long-distance animal transport, slaughter and the transport of animals by sea.
