Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
766. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the highest recorded temperature, humidity and ammonia levels documented on live export voyages to third countries in the past five years; the thresholds considered acceptable by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36552/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra767. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedures in place to assess the fitness of cattle for long-distance transport outside the EU, particularly in relation to lameness, respiratory illness, ringworm and advanced pregnancy; and whether the Department intends to review these procedures. [36553/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra768. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has investigated reports of pregnant dairy heifers giving birth during voyages to third countries; whether this raised concerns regarding compliance with gestation limits under Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36554/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra769. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the monitoring or verification mechanisms that are in place to ensure compliance with Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 following the arrival of cattle at ports in third countries, particularly in light of the European Court of Justice Zuchtvieh ruling (Case C-424/13). [36555/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra771. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has assessed animal welfare conditions in slaughter facilities in third countries receiving Irish cattle exports; and if he will outline any engagement undertaken with importing countries regarding welfare standards at slaughter. [36557/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 766, 767, 768, 769 and 771 together.
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, and S.I. No. 356/2016 - Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016.
For a dedicated livestock vessel to be allowed load and transport animals out of Ireland, it must be approved in accordance with the provisions of S.I. No. 356/2016 - Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016. The approval process involves a rigorous physical inspection by my Department and a contracted Marine Engineer. In addition, the vessel must also be checked by my Department before, during and after loading of animals, for any issues which could affect the welfare of the animals transported.
S.I. No. 356/2016 Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016 also requires an approved vessel to have a sufficient number of crew members on board who are competent in the care and management of livestock and are capable of providing satisfactory tending, feeding and watering of livestock at all times during the voyage.
Ammonia concentrations and humidity levels are monitored during loading of the animals. My Department also places a veterinary inspector on board the ship to carry out official controls during the voyage, where possible. The recommended animal welfare threshold for ammonia is below 20ppm. If a short-lived elevated ammonia concentration level is detected during ongoing monitoring on board a vessel, immediate corrective action is implemented, such as adjustment of ventilation system, to ensure subsequent readings of ammonia concentrations return to acceptable operating parameters. The highest humidity level recorded in the past five years was 97%, the figure for temperature was 33°C and that for ammonia was 24ppm. However, these measurements are exceptional and unrepresentative of the norms, as humidity and temperature levels are also monitored and managed, to protect animals from heat stress and excessive moisture and adverse climatic conditions during transport by sea.
EU Regulation 1/2005 requires that prior to travel an animal must be deemed to be fit for the intended journey. The Regulation does specify that a pregnant animal for whom 90% or more of the expected gestation period has already passed is not considered to be fit for long distance transport. Thus, as part of the official certification process, veterinary inspectors assess each animal to ensure it meets the conditions for fitness to travel as laid down in the regulations. Animals which do not meet these conditions are not allowed to travel.
Live exports are only possible with the highest of animal welfare standards during transport, and EU legislation allows for these journeys to take place as long as these standards are adhered to throughout the journey including those parts of the journey that lie outside the European Union. Technical experts within my Department review the findings from all voyages to ensure continual enhancements in animal welfare and to identify any training needs.
With regard to exporting animals to countries with less developed animal welfare standards than Europe, while Ireland cannot control the practices of governments and private operators in other countries, it can exert influence through international bodies, in particular on countries with which it is a trading partner. My Department continues to collaborate closely with other EU Member States, the European Commission and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) with a view to improving animal welfare standards in destination countries and other 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.
