Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the live export trade during the course of 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45679/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Live exports are an important component of Ireland's livestock industry providing an essential alternative to competition with the beef trade.

Live cattle exports from Ireland in 2007 amounted to 207,000 animals, worth an estimated €110 million. To date this year, 141,347 live cattle and calves have been exported from Ireland (up to week ending 22nd November). This number is some 30% below the level for the corresponding period in 2007.

Bord Bia is working intensely to give support to the export of Irish livestock through a number of targeted activities. This includes providing up-to-date market information to live exporters, weekly livestock reports and bi-monthly market-updates from Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, along with regular communication with market offices.

Each year, Bord Bia also organises livestock open days in Spain and Italy, in conjunction with individual exporters. This involves displaying Irish cattle in a continental feedlot, illustrating their advantages in health, performance and carcass quality to potential customers and agri-media. Other services provided by market offices include contact with buyers, arranging itineraries / inward buyer visits, language interpretation, attendance at trade fairs and market research.