Friday 4th May 2007

Fri= day 4th May 2007

PRESS RELEASE FROM COMPASSION = IN WORLD FARMING - IRELAND

IRISH FARM ANIMAL WELFARE ORGA= NISATION JOINS “BAN CALF EXPORTS” DEMONSTRATION AT DOVER DOCKS IN ENGLAN= D ON SATURDAY 5^th MAY AS OPPOSITION GROWS TO SHIPMENTS OF BRITISH AND IRISH CALVES FROM DOVER TO FRANCE.

Com= passion in World Farming - Ireland (CIWF-Ireland), Ireland’s leading farm ani= mal welfare organisation, will attend a “Ban calf exports” demonstration at Dover docks in England on Saturday 5^th May at 12 noon. The demonstration is organised by CIWF-UK and Kent Against Live Expor= ts. (The demonstration will take place at the Eastern Docks, Dover, from 12 noon to 3 pm.)

Dem= onstrators are calling for an end to calf exports from Britain. A significant number of the calves= exported through Dover port are from the Republic of Ireland. These Irish calves, and also calve= s from the UK, are shipped from Dover to France and then taken by road to destinat= ions on the continent. Many go to = veal units in the Netherlands.

A n= ew report published by CIWF, “Calf Transport And Veal Rearing”, provides scientific evidence that young calves are not suited to long journeys.

Mary-Anne Bartlett, Director of CIWF-Ireland, says:

= 220;There is very strong opposition in the UK to the export of young calves, which are known to be particularly poor travellers.&= nbsp; There are regular protests at Dover Port and it is noticed that a significant number of calves being shipped to the continent from there have come from the Republic of Ireland. <= /span>

CIW= F-Ireland has learned that calves from the Republic of Ireland travelling on the R= 20;UK land-bridge” route to the continent go via Larne in Northern Ireland = (see answer to Dail Questions, below). From there they go by ship to Brit= ain, by road to Dover (with a rest period in Britain), and then another ship to France followed by a road journey to their destination. CIWF has concerns about the increa= sed length of journey by this indirect route.&= nbsp;

Man= y Irish calves are destined for intensive veal units in the Netherlands. Though veal crates are now illegal, alternatives may offer little comfort to these young calves.

CIW= F-Ireland is calling on the Irish Government to seek alternatives to calf exports. We want to see Irish calves reared humanely in Ireland instead of being sent on long journeys to destinations = on the continent.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Mary-Anne Bartlett, Director, CIWF-Ireland on 021 4639038

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Total calf exports to continental EU from the Republic of Ireland in 2006 =3D 104,= 391 (Bord Bia Market Monitor, 13/1/2007)<= /span>

A new report pro= duced by CIWF-UK, “Calf Transport a= nd Veal Rearing”, shows:

- Y= oung calves are not well adapted to cope with transport. Their immune systems are not fully developed and they are not able to control their body temperature well so are susceptible to both heat and cold stress. They suffer weight lo= ss, and illness and deaths following transport can be high

- In continental Europe, calves are usually reared on slatted floors in large gr= oup housing systems, without bedding to keep them warm. Slatted floors quickly become slippery, making it harder for calves to stand up and lie down or mo= ve around.

Dail Questions about the calf export trade from Ireland:<= /span>

Parliamentary Question No.236 = / 237

To ask the Minister for Agricu= lture and Food the number of cattle and calves exported from the Republic of Irel= and to continental Europe in 2006 by direct roll-on, roll-off ferry from Irelan= d to the Continent, by ferry and road via Britain using the UK land-bridge route= and by other means.

- Tony Gregory.

To ask the Minister for Agricu= lture and Food the minimum age at which calves can be exported from the Republic = of Ireland to continental Europe; the number of calves under six weeks old that were exported from the Republic of Ireland to continental Europe in 2006; a= nd the number of calves under six weeks old that travelled from the Republic of Ireland to the continent in 2006 by ferry and road via Britain using the UK land-bridge route. - Tony Gregory.

Minister Coughlan’s reply:

For WRITTEN answer on Thursday= , 8th March, 2007. [Ref No: 9272/07 Proof: 265] = &nb= sp;

REPLY The Minister for Agriculture and Food: (Mary Coughlan):

“I propose to take quest= ions 236 & 237 together.

Two Roll on–Roll off vessels are approved = for the carriage of livestock including cattle, sheep and pigs. Horses may be transported on= these vessels also under certain specified conditions. One of the vessels is authorised to carry 21 approved livestock vehicles and the second vessel is authorised to carry 4 approved livestock vehicles. Both vessels operate on the Rossla= re to Cherbourg route. There are no vessels approved at present to transport catt= le from here to Great Britain but the UK land-bridge route via Larne is used f= or some exports to the continent.

The transport of calves on jou= rneys over 8 hours is permitted only in respect of calves that are older than fourteen days.

A total of 251,203 cattle of a= ll ages including calves were exported to all destinations in 2006 of which 222,350 were exported to continental Europe. In 2006 a total of 91,569 calv= es less than 6 weeks old were exported from Ireland to continental Europe. Det= ails of the routes used for these exports are not readily available.”=

ENDS