Written answers

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Live Exports

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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173. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has found export markets for Friesian calves so as to avoid a collapse of the beef market in 18 months time when too many dairy calves come on stream; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12753/15]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I attach major importance to the live export trade and my Department, along with Bord Bia, has been extremely proactive during my time as Minister in encouraging and facilitating both the cross border live trade and shipments abroad. Live exports serve an important purpose as a means of both satisfying market demand for live animals and providing essential alternative market outlets for Irish cattle farmers. Total live exports for 2014 stood at approximately 237,000 head, valued at €172 million. It is notable that live shipments to non-EU markets grew by 17%, boosted by increased trade with North African countries such as Libya and Tunisia. This factor, along with the weakness of the Euro for trade to Northern Ireland and Great Britain, is indicative of a generally positive outlook for live trade and I believe there are good grounds for optimism here. For example, recent developments suggest a strong possibility that the Turkish market may open to live trade with the European Union before the year is out.

Approximately 100,000 Friesian calves were exported from Ireland in 2014, up from 87,000 in 2013. Calf exports in recent weeks have been running at a high level, which is evidence of the strong market demand in continental Europe for these types of calves. The main markets for black and white animals continue to be the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. A good system of transport links to facilitate these exports, an essential element in live trade, is in place, and some extra roll-on roll-off ferry capacity for livestock exports has been added in recent months. Three dedicated vessels and three roll-on roll-off ships are currently approved for export of live animals from Ireland. The process has begun to approve two more dedicated vessels for the purpose of exporting animals.

Trade between farmers, marts and processors is a commercial matter for them based on market conditions, both current and projected. As Minister, I am not in a position to interfere in the purchases and choices farmers make when they conduct their business. However, I am fully conscious of the concerns which have been expressed on this issue and will continue, at every opportunity, to pursue the opening of new markets for the live export trade.

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