Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action she is taking to re-open live export markets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6796/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland exported some 130,000 live cattle last year to various destinations in Europe and also to Lebanon, compared to 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 marketplace.

My Department, together with An 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, though the market there is open to Irish beef imports. Ongoing contact is maintained with the Egyptian authorities in relation to trade, both in meat and live cattle.

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.