Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the requirement for animals transported from Great Britain to Northern Ireland (1) to go to an approved export centre prior to transport, and (2) to remain there for six months while being tested and health certified; and what steps they are taking to reduce these requirements.

The Northern Ireland Protocol requires animals to attend approved assembly centres for a maximum of 6 days once they have remained in Great Britain for a period of 3-6 months, or from birth, depending on the reason for the movement to Northern Ireland.

The UK Government continues to discuss these extra burdens with the EU in an effort to reduce requirements.