AQW 17487/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 16/04/2021
Answered On Date: 05/05/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail the number of vets that will be required to check livestock at Northern Ireland’s ports on completion of the ports' infrastructure project.

Answer:

Livestock only enter Northern Ireland through the port of Larne. The port operates around the clock and livestock can arrive on any sailing. All consignments must be inspected.

Five veterinary inspectors are currently headquartered in Larne Port with at least one vet on each of the four shift teams.

Livestock inspections comprise only part of the vet’s work but it is not anticipated that the number of animals arriving or the resource requirement for livestock checks will increase significantly in the future.