EU rules threaten live export trade
Livestock Committee chairman Derek Deane warned that the stricter rules are extremely damaging to Ireland and will severely restrict access to the EU single market for live cattle. Mr Deane said EU Commissioner David Byrne has not taken account of the scientific data and facts relating to animal transport and welfare in these proposals.
These seem to be based on arguments put forward by animal rights lobbyists to restrict or limit the live trade based on perception and emotion rather than on real scientific facts relating to animal transport and welfare. Mr Deane said the proposal to abolish staging posts and restrict transport to a maximum of nine hours followed by an eleven hour rest period with another nine hours travel and so on makes no sense from an animal welfare perspective.
