Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 May 2017
242. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a response will issue to an interim reply (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25218/17]
View answerThere are strict protocols governing the export of live animals to Turkey, which include a 21-day isolation period on approved premises in Ireland, during which cattle being exported are monitored by Irish and Turkish official veterinarians. The isolation period is set by agreement between the EU and Turkey. A considerable amount of testing is carried out during the isolation period, and only animals with negative results are allowed to travel. It would not be possible under any circumstances to load animals onto a boat for export to Turkey in advance of all test results being available. Therefore it would not be possible for the journey from Ireland to Turkey to be considered part of the isolation period.
