AQW 4294/22-27

Mr Jim Allister KC
Traditional Unionist Voice
North Antrim

Tabled Date: 07/10/2022
Answered On Date: 24/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for his assessment, particularly in respect of Tuberculosis restrictions, of EU Animal Welfare laws being applicable in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

As you are aware, due to the Northern Protocol, a range of EU legislation relating to both animal disease control and animal welfare remains applicable in Northern Ireland.

On bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) in particular, the Northern Ireland bTB programme, along with bTB programmes throughout the UK, has been aligned with European legislative requirements for several decades. Our disease control measures are essential to facilitate trade in cattle and cattle products, worth over £1.5 billion each year to our economy.

Officials continue to work on ensuring our bTB programme complies with international standards of animal health. This will assist our beef and dairy

industries to have continued access to markets in Europe, while also helping to assure other global trading partners of the high standards of animal health in Northern Ireland.