Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for his lengthy answer, which contained much detail. The real problem for calf exporters some weeks ago was that they had no access to a means to export calves. Does the Minister of State accept that this causes a unique problem, especially in the case of calf exports? If calves cannot be exported before a certain age they must be tested for tuberculosis. This can cause further problems and increases the cost factor. Does the Minister of State agree that it is absolutely necessary to ensure that a continuous opportunity exists, on a weekly basis, for the export of live calves? Does the Minister of State accept that the Holstein type of Friesian is a valuable export, and without third country markets there are not many opportunities for Holstein type of beef?

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