Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1031. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 260 of 21 March 2024, to detail the two consignment of cattle shipped to Israel specifically when these shipments were made; the number of cattle involved and the private entity that arranged it; to further clarify if Department officials inspected these consignments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14977/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The details of the two consignments that were traded by private commercial businesses from Ireland to Israel over the past six months are given in the table below.

I can clarify that all cattle on these consignments were inspected prior to export by veterinary inspectors of my Department (as are all exported cattle) to ensure their fitness for transport and their high animal health status.

Trade in live animals is a necessary and integral part of the dairy and beef sectors and plays an important part in supporting farm incomes. Such trade can only be sustainable on the basis of a strong regulatory regime which protects the welfare and the quality of the animals transported.

While the trade in and transport of animals is a private commercial activity it is heavily regulated by European and Irish national law which my department enforces.

I want to be very clear in stating that my Department only permits animals to be transported in compliance with current legislation.