Live Exports

Thursday, 12 February 2026

Ceisteanna (483)

Robert O'Donoghue

Ceist:

483. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dedicated livestock vessel used to transport the 117 pregnant heifers exported from Ireland to Libya on 5 January 2025, including the name of the vessel on which the animals were shipped from Spain; whether this vessel will be authorised for use from Ireland under Irish and EU animal welfare and transport standards; the total duration of the sea journey from Spain to Libya; whether any mortalities occurred during the voyage or whether any of the heifers aborted while in transit; the reason his Department discharged its responsibilities under EC Regulation No. 1/2005, which provides that the competent authority responsible for animal welfare and export health certification to a third country is the member State in which the export health certification is completed and approved, notwithstanding transit through another member State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11243/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The trade in and export of animals is a private commercial activity which is regulated by my 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 provisions of S.I No. 356 of 2016 Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations only apply to dedicated livestock vessel journeys that depart from a port in Ireland.

The consignment of animals referenced by the Deputy were initially transported from Ireland to Spain using road vehicles and Roll on Roll off Vessel (RoRo /Ferry ). These modes of transport were approved by my Department in accordance with relevant National and EU Regulations. The animals were then loaded onto the dedicated vessel Nader A under the supervision of the Spanish authorities for transport to Libya. Other animals which originated in Spain or other Member States were also loaded onto to this vessel. The Nader A is approved by France under the relevant provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport.

Based on information provided by the Spanish authorities the projected journey time for the consignment referenced was 5 days. The Spanish authorities have no information relating to any mortalities or pregnant animals aborting during this vessel journey.

In order for a dedicated livestock vessel to load and transport animals out of Ireland it must be approved by my Department in accordance with the provisions of S.I No. 356 of 2016 Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations. My Department has received no application from the owners /operators of the dedicated vessel Nader A for approval under the above Regulations.