Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action she is taking to reopen live export markets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1798/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland exported nearly 125,000 live cattle last year to various destinations in Europe and also to the Lebanon compared with 220,000 in 2003. The principal destinations in Europe were Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain. The reduced numbers in 2004 can be attributed to buoyant prices for cattle on the home market and a strong export market in beef. In addition, the focus of the Irish beef industry has been to broaden and expand its market reach at EU retail level, shifting its orientation away from international commodity markets and into the higher priced internal EU market place.

My Department, together with Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs, continues to seek to exploit every opportunity to expand the market for the live trade and beef exports. As a result of these efforts, an agreement was made to open the Libyan market for live animals. Logistical problems have so far prevented the development of this market and it remains closed. Another traditional third country market for Irish cattle in the past, which is currently closed to live exports, is Egypt, although the market there is open to Irish beef imports.

The live trade is a critical component to overall competition in the beef trade. It is my policy that there should be free and open access to all markets both within the EU and in third countries for Irish beef and live cattle. I am fully committed to ensuring that the option of exporting cattle live to overseas countries is maintained.