Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he is taking to support a live cattle trade to Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19981/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The live export trade is an important element of Ireland's meat and livestock industry providing, as it does, a complement to the beef trade.

Live cattle exports to the UK, in the first four months of 2009, amounted to almost 26,000 head, over 235% up on the same period last year. The main reasons for this increase are reduced cattle availability and higher returns on the market. Bord Bia continues to work closely with the meat industry on monitoring and developing emerging opportunities for Irish livestock in Britain, the Continent and International markets. A number of important contacts among UK buyers were made during last year's Beef Expo and many of these continue to buy stock at pedigree sales.