Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I will answer that question. There are certainly monopolies in those jurisdictions which are preventing the slaughter of Irish cattle. The same applies in respect of the guidelines on cattle younger than 30 months. If the factories are stuck for cattle, they will not give a damn if cattle are 40 months old, but if there are plenty of cattle available, they will find a problem with everything.

I have a question for Mr. Doyle and Mr. Scallan. Do they agree, in respect of bed and breakfast arrangements, that taking cattle to marts where they might not be sold should not be classified as movement? In Ireland it is classified as such. We could actually help in that regard. Mr. Doyle was right in saying, in respect of the food chain in England, stipulations had been put on us, but there are certain movements which should not count. Should we look at movements between Bord Bia-approved farmers who work under the same regulations?

Is Mr. Scallan saying it would be advisable for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to work with exporters to find alternative accommodation in France? As he rightly pointed out, there will be a glut of calves between February and April. In sending stronger cattle rather than calves is there a problem in obtaining licences and having the paperwork in order? Are exporters being held up in that regard?

I have a straight question for Mr. Scallan about Bord Bia. Representatives of the meat factories are brought on trade missions. Has Bord Bia ever brought exporters of live cattle on trade missions to other countries to promote the export of cattle on the hoof?