Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

The live export trade is an important element of Ireland's meat and livestock industry providing a complement to the beef trade. The UK remains the largest single destination with more than 81,500 animals exported in 2009, an increase of more than 150% on the same period in 2008. Of these exports, 86% consists of weanlings, stores and finished cattle with calves accounting for the remainder. Northern Ireland alone accounts for almost 90% of total live trade to the UK with the balance going to factories throughout Britain.

I am fully aware of the issues facing those involved in the live export trade. These include labelling, inclusion in quality assurance schemes and veterinary issues. As regards labelling, the Deputy will be aware that this matter is governed by comprehensive EU regulations introduced in 2000, which are underpinned by a full animal identification and traceability system. The primary compulsory element of these regulations is a requirement that the country of origin of the animal be shown on any label. Given the accepted preference of UK consumers for domestically sourced beef, this poses difficulties for Irish producers and processors in this marketplace.

Participation in the British quality assurance scheme is restricted to animals born and finished in the UK. This scheme, known as "Red Tractor", is similar to the Bord Bia equivalent, and excludes foreign born animals. Given that quality assurance is seen as a key requirement to supply the retail sector, Irish animals would be seen as less valuable to processors compared to assured domestic cattle.

With a view to addressing these challenges, Bord Bia has been working for some months with the industry on extending its beef quality assurance scheme to include cattle for export. The scheme would draw on data from the existing beef quality assurance and beef suckler welfare schemes, and would incorporate auditing of participants to verify compliance. Such a scheme could enable Irish-born animals to access higher-value market channels in Britain and other countries. Discussions on this matter are ongoing and I have asked Bord Bia to progress it as soon as possible.

Veterinary issues associated with the export of Irish cattle for finishing to Britain are the subject of ongoing discussion at bilateral and EU level and take place against the backdrop of our continued commitment to public health and food safety. While the purchasing policy of British meat plants, whether Irish or British owned, is, of course, a commercial decision for these plants I will continue to work with the industry to ensure continued access to the British market for live exports.

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