Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 7: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to facilitate the export of live cattle through the United Kingdom to European markets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1794/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Following the outbreak of BSE the export of live cattle from, or its transit through, the United Kingdom was prohibited by virtue of Commission Decision of 27 March 1996. Given the possibility that there would be no direct access to continental markets after the withdrawal of the P&O ro-ro service between Rosslare and Cherbourg, I requested Commissioner Byrne late last year to submit a proposal for the re-opening of the UK land bridge for Irish exports. This request was granted.

This matter was the subject of discussions between officials of my Department, the European Commission and the United Kingdom concerning the practical steps needed to give effect to this decision, and in particular to the controls necessary to guarantee the integrity of the consignments being transported by this route. A majority vote in favour of a Commission proposal to provide a legal basis for Irish cattle transporters to transit the United Kingdom was secured at the Standing Committee of the Food Chain and Animal Health on 17 December 2004. The necessary formal decision of the Commission is awaited.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As someone who comes from the west the Minister is conscious of the major implications of live export. Has she spoken to any of her ministerial colleagues in the United Kingdom or Wales on this serious issue? It must be dealt with at the highest possible level. We need to ensure that it works because if we do not have a live export trade for weanlings come autumn that will have serious implications for the trade, especially in the west.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is aware of our personal views with regard to live exports. On the basis of the situation that arose I had to look at every available option, be it a land bridge through the United Kingdom or supporting and facilitating the reintroduction of the crossing. I spoke with the relevant Minister and Minister for State in London and we have been facilitated at Commission level.

There may be difficulties with the land bridge, particularly the question of whether operators of the ro-ro between here, the United Kingdom and mainland Europe would be prepared to carry livestock. The farming organisations and some welfare people have raised problems about this. If I had no option I would have to pursue it more vigorously.

We have facilitated the reintroduction of the ferry service from Wexford to mainland Europe which hopefully will address the important livestock industry and perhaps remove the necessity of following up the land bridge.