Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher has said he is “deeply concerned” at the level of “misinformation” being spread in the Netherlands about Irish calf imports into the country.
The MEP was commenting after Agriland reported on a debate between the Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Piet Adema and the leader of the Party for the Animals, Esther Ouwehand on the import of Irish calves.
Minister Adema said the growing calf trade from Ireland to the Netherlands “does not fit with his commitment” to ban long-distance transport (8 hours) for young unweaned animals.
Kelleher has written to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue outlining his “deep concerns” about the tone and content of the debate in the Dutch parliament.
Irish calf imports into the Netherlands
The MEP suggested to Minister McConalogue to contact the Dutch minister to outline Ireland’s “very strong commitment to animal welfare” and adherence to existing EU regulation.
“The Dutch minister seems to be in favour of an eight hour max journey time for all animals which would include time spent stationary on a ship at sea.
“This conflicts with the proposal from the European Commission late last year which gave an explicit exemption from any journey time limit for transport by sea,” Kelleher said.
In December 2023, the European Commission proposed to implement legislation on the minimum age for unweaned calves to be transported in a reform of current animal welfare rules.
Animals transported by sea are not exposed to the same type of motion as animals transported by road or rail. Thus, the impact of sea transport on animals is less detrimental for their welfare, the proposal states.
Provided that animals on board of sea vessels have sufficient space to be able to lie down and rest, have feed and water in sufficient amounts and at appropriate intervals, the time spent at sea should not be counted as journey time, according to the proposal.
“The hostility from the animal rights party leader was expected, but I am shocked by the commentary from the Dutch Minister,” he said.
Ouwehand tabled her questions during the debate in the Dutch parliament under the heading of: ‘Questions…about the terrible import of calves from Ireland’.
Animal transport
Ireland is “in no way a poor enforcer” of the 2005 Animal Transport Regulation, and in many respects Ireland is “top of the class” in terms of inspections and enforcement, the MEP said.
Commenting on the debate, Kelleher said: “What we know is that the commission’s proposals, as a starting point, will increase standards even more.
“We will see a higher minimum age for transport, requirements for improved feeding and hydration systems and increased veterinary inspections. This is something I can support.
“However, the eight hour max journey time proposal is not acceptable to me, and I will vigorously oppose it if I am re-elected to the European Parliament this June.”
The MEP added that the ability for Ireland to export live animals into the European Single Market is an “absolute necessity” for our agricultural communities.