Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree that welfare standards are paramount for everybody involved in the beef industry. It is essential that we protect our justified image as sustainable food producers. The produce of every dairy farmer is quality assured and welfare is a prime requisite of that quality. The modern consumer demands high standards of us and we can show that we are meeting those standards.

It is vital that we maintain our live export outlets to the Continent and get out the maximum number of calves this coming spring. We have had a summer and autumn of discontent in the beef industry and the live export outlet is essential to keep competition in the trade. It is obvious that we must reduce the number of cattle that are available for slaughter if we are to ensure a viable and commercial price. Last spring, there was a backlog and logjam in live exports getting to the Continent. This coming spring, the calfing is likely to be more crammed than normal, thanks to the good weather we had earlier in the year. Lairage space, truck space and ship space are critical factors in maximising the number of calves that can be sent to the Continent for veal production. Everything that can be done in this regard must be done. The Minister will say that this is the responsibility of live exporters, to which I say that An Bord Bia also has an essential role in ensuring this outlet to market is maximised.

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