John Carty (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the prospects for live exports in 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9170/07]

Joe Callanan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding developments in the live exports sector. [9172/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 259 together.

Live cattle exports reached 250,000 head in 2006, up by 65,000 head on the previous year. The value of this trade is estimated at just over €145m. The principal drivers of this increase were a strong rise in calf and weanling shipments. A strong veal market combined with tight supplies from other exporters boosted Irish calf exports, particularly in the first half of the year.

The outlook for 2007 is reasonably good. However, exports of calves, in particular, could come under increased pressure from more competitively priced UK calf exports, with forecasts from the UK suggesting live exports could reach as high as 200,000 head. Furthermore, overall import demand for calves is likely to moderate on the Continent as veal demand returns to more historical levels. Any decline in calf exports is, though, likely to be offset by an ongoing demand for weanlings and store cattle in Spain and Italy.