Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2026
270. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on when live exports to the North of Ireland will resume for cattle and sheep; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11000/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current position is that, following the detection of BTV3 in Co Wexford, the agreed animal health certification conditions under which cattle and sheep can move to Northern Ireland can facilitate the movement of BTV susceptible animals for direct slaughter. However, the agreed certification conditions for movements to Northern Ireland for breeding and production can no longer be met. In addition, the conditions to meet certification requirements for movement to Great Britain cannot current be met either.
Some EU Member States have chosen to apply derogations to these standard conditions, thereby allowing the inward movement of cattle and sheep from countries with BTV3 (such as Ireland) subject to certain additional requirements decided by those Member States.
No such derogations are in place in respect of Northern Ireland, and so the movement of cattle and sheep for breeding and production from Ireland to Northern Ireland cannot take place, as the animal health certification requirements can no longer be met. The same is true for Great Britain.
