Written answers

Thursday, 18 December 2014

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Live Exports

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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20. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to support a live cattle trade to Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48276/14]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I attach considerable importance to the live export trade and, over the years, my Department has been very active in facilitating both the cross border live trade and shipments abroad. Live exports serve a dual purpose as a means of satisfying market demands for live animals and providing alternative market outlets for farmers. Total live exports to the end of November this year stand at nearly 227,000 head, of which 66,000 went to the UK, an increase of nearly 5,500 head or 8.8% up on the comparable period in 2013. Specifically, over 16,500 animals have been exported to Britain in 2014, which is an increase of nearly 65% on last year.

In recent years Irish exporters wishing to export livestock to Britain were able to avail of roll-on, roll-off ferry services from Belfast or Larne. Early in 2014 an application was received from a shipping company for approval of a roll-on, roll-off ferry to carry livestock from Rosslare. Following an inspection this ferry was approved for carriage of livestock. The first such consignment to the UK took place in February 2014, and regular consignments of livestock have been carried from Rosslare since then.

The potential to grow the live trade to Britain is impacted by the buying specifications operated by the British retail chains in relation to cattle born in this country and exported live for finishing and processing in that market. The retailers' longstanding policy is to market British and Irish beef separately. This means that beef must be sourced from animals originating in one country or the other; i.e. born, reared and slaughtered in the same country. In addition, logistical difficulties can arise when a small number of Irish-born animals are slaughtered in a UK meat plant. Under mandatory EU labelling rules, these carcasses have to be deboned in a separate batch, packaged and labelled accordingly, thereby incurring additional costs for the processor. These issues are a matter of commercial preference, both of slaughter plants in Britain, and of British retailers. Decisions by processors and retailers in other member states in relation to purchasing policy are matters of commercial preference.

While Bord Bia has repeatedly raised this issue with British retailers over the years, they are unlikely to reverse their marketing policy in the short term and are currently under pressure to stock more British beef. Nevertheless Bord Bia, in its ongoing interactions with British customers, will continue to pursue all opportunities to maximise the full potential of the beef and livestock trade with our largest trading partner.  In addition, Bord Bia actively supports the development of the live export trade through the provision of market information, developing market access and promotional activity.

I have also had several meetings with my Northern counterpart, Minister Michelle O'Neill, on this subject.  We agreed to make a joint approach to the three British retailers who stock Irish Beef, accepting that these were commercial matters, but also seeking some flexibility given that this beef is produced to the exacting standards required by British consumers. Following on from this, I convened a meeting with Minister O' Neill and the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium which took place in October. At this meeting the NIRC made it clear that their beef buyers had a preference for single origin beef, of which they had ample supply, but they would keep the situation under review.  I also met separately with Tesco where we had a full discussion on this and other procurement issues. Tesco were also invited to and attended a meeting of the Beef Roundtable where all stakeholders had the opportunity to engage with them and gain an insight into their view of the beef market in the UK and Ireland today.

I will continue to pursue opportunities for exports of live cattle at every opportunity.

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