Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----if I acknowledge the outgoing president and the president-elect of Macra na Feirme, Mr. James Healy, who is a Cork man and happens to be a consituent of mine. I would like to wish him well during his presidency.

It is a requirement under EU law that cattle exported from Ireland within the EU (including to Northern Ireland) must complete a residency period on a holding prior to export.  The animal must have been resident on this holding within 29 days of moving to an assembly centre for export.  Subsequent to moving from the holding, an animal may move one time through a mart and/or one time through a dealer’s holding, in that order.  No further moves are permitted.

The Department’s AIM computer system carries out verification checks on compliance with the residency requirement.  Cattle presented for export that do not meet the eligibility requirements are rejected by the system.  A small number of minor technical and other anomalies that were highlighted by exporters in relation to the operation of the AIM verification have been addressed, and the new arrangements are operating with minimal disruption.  

I called a meeting with live exporters last month at which I stressed that my Department considers the live export sector to be of great importance, particularly given Brexit and the expansion of the dairy herd. Earlier this year, I reduced the veterinary inspection fees payable on live exports of younger bovines in order to remove the disproportionate impact of these fees on exports of calves relative to older animals.   The ongoing search for new third country markets is a priority for my Department, and last month I outlined a plan to increase international market access for Irish food and drink exports. I welcome the fact that exports of live cattle to date in 2017 have increased by 40% compared to the same period last year.

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