Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
694. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is illegal to import ovine semen that does not meet Scrapie 1 regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16528/26]
View answer695. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is concerned that ovine semen from animals that are do not meet Scrapie 1 regulations is being imported into the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16529/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 694 and 695 together.
My Department carries out import controls on ovine semen imported into Ireland to ensure it is compliant with the requirements for the importation of germinal products into the EU laid down in Regulation (EU) 2017/625. These rules include the requirement for the certifying export veterinarian to attest that the semen complies with the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE) Regulation (EC) 2001/999, which lays down the rules for the prevention, control and eradication of TSEs, including scrapie. Any consignments found not to comply with these requirements are rejected from entering Ireland.
