Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: 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. [7606/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The live export trade complements the processed beef trade by providing alternative market outlets thereby underpinning the meat and livestock industry generally.

There are two major components to the live export trade: calf shipments to the Continent, and the export of forward stores and finished cattle to the UK. First quarter data for 2011 shows that live exports are 34% below the exceptionally high levels achieved during the corresponding period in 2010. Exports to Great Britain decreased by 59% on those for the same period in 2010, those to Northern Ireland are down by 36% and those to all other destinations fell by 33%. The strength of live cattle exports in recent years can be expected to impact on cattle supplies and disposals in 2011.

However, the main reason for the decline in live exports is the narrowing of the price differential between the average prices paid by processors for finished cattle in Ireland compared to Northern Ireland and Britain. This makes live exports to the sterling area less financially attractive when transport costs are taken into account.

As part of its remit to support the export of Irish livestock, Bord Bia provides up-to-date market information to exporters in the form of weekly livestock reports and bi-monthly updates from each of the major markets, as well as regular communication with market offices. In addition, Bord Bia's market offices promote contact with new customers, organise promotional events for Irish livestock, arrange inward buyer visits, attend livestock trade fairs and forecasting meetings, commission market research and organise credit rating and language interpretation services as appropriate on behalf of the sector.