Ireland’s status as an island and the “unique challenges that it brings” must be taken into account by any EU review of animal transport rules, according to MEP Billy Kelleher.
“Previously, the commissioner has stated when he was a parliamentary rapporteur on this issue that he believes there should be an eight-hour maximum travel limit for live animals,” Kelleher said.
“Clearly, the commissioner, when writing that report, took no heed of Ireland and the challenges we face in getting our animals to mainland European markets.
There’s an assumption out there, an incorrect assumption, that Ireland doesn’t need to export its excess animals. Nothing could be further from the truth.
“Every year, animals leave Ireland for foreign markets adding hundreds of millions to the Irish economy and supporting hundreds, if not thousands of jobs in rural communities.
“We do not have the population needed to sustain such an additional input into the domestic market.”
‘The same as asking France to drink all the wine it produces’
Kelleher maintains that this is a “non-runner from the get-go”, and is “the same as asking France to drink all the wine it produces every year instead of exporting it”.
“Obviously, we can and must improve animal welfare standards, but that starts with implementing the existing rules, and sanctioning those who break them,” Kelleher said.
“Proper veterinary oversight must be part of the entire supply chain.
Investment is also needed in terms of the vehicles being used to transport these animals.
“I think farmers and exporters are willing to go the extra mile – but what is not acceptable is an arbitrary time limit that would destroy this really important part of the Irish economy.”