Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 November 2025
864. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether Ireland plans to support or advocate for stronger protections for unweaned animals during transport in upcoming EU negotiations on the revision of animal welfare and transport regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63373/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the context of the Farm to Fork Strategy, the EU Commission announced on 7 December 2023 its intention to revise the current EU Regulation on animal welfare during transport Council Regulation (EC) 1/2005. My Department is strongly committed to improving animal welfare standards during transport including for un-weaned animals and supports the revision of the EU Regulation for this sector.
The new Regulation should be based on strong technical and scientific knowledge, as well as drawing on the experiences and good practices of Member States in implementing and enforcing the current Regulation.
Ireland's position is that the primary objective of the revision of the Regulation should be the continued facilitation of high welfare intra-community trade and export of live animals, but that the new Regulation should not be focused on measures aimed at prohibiting or limiting certain types of transport per se.
My Department has continuously reinforced its practical, administrative and legislative measures to protect the welfare of animals during transport, often going beyond the minimum requirements of the current Regulation, for example in providing extra space in vehicles for un-weaned calves, more frequent driver training, and controls on temperature stress.
The proposed new Regulation is currently being examined at Council Working Party level under the Danish Presidency. My Department attends these Working Party meetings.
