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

Obviously, this is an issue we keep under review. There will be continued expansion in the dairy herd. I would like to see more of the expansion in the dairy herd come from improved genetics and yield than from a headlong rush to increased numbers but I do accept that there will be increased numbers. These markets for calf exports are significant. One of the critical issues we will need to keep under review is our commitment to the highest possible standards of welfare in the context of the transport of those animals because without that, those markets can be jeopardy. We will ensure that all those approved to export will operate to the highest standards. Those exports, particularly because they take the progeny of the dairy herd out of the country, are an important fillip indirectly for the beef sector because they leave higher quality beef progeny in the country arising from beef crosses from the dairy herd but also from the suckler herd. That is important in terms of marketing a quality product on the beef side. In the context of live exports, 30,000 cattle, mostly weanlings and bulls, were exported to Turkey in 2017. We are up 27% on those with regard to the January to April 2018 figure. Exports are very important from a competitive point of view but key to maintaining that is a commitment to high standards in welfare.

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