Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Fitzmaurice made a point on young calves. This is an issue in respect of which we must remain onside. Doing otherwise would not do the country's image as a producer of sustainable food or our green image any good whatsoever. We could develop a veal industry here. I am aware that we have very seasonal production of calves, but the finishing times for veal could be staggered. We would be able to cover much of the year if the proper investment went into this. Live exports are constantly under pressure. We would have a huge surplus of calves here if anything happened with live exports, so I urge the board to do more research into the feasibility of domestic veal production. I thank the officials for their engagement with the committee. Their answers were comprehensive.

The Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine will meet in public at 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 29 March, to deal with Committee Stage of the Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Bill 2023. The select committee will engage with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue.