Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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327. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to engage with the European Union Commission to have current failures in the Common Market surrounding the export of live cattle to Northern Ireland and Britain addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30223/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the rules governing the free movement of goods and services within the EU, all Irish beef producers have ready, unimpeded and equal access to all EU Member State markets without restriction.  Articles 34 to 36 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union prohibit Member States from maintaining or imposing barriers on intra-EU trade in goods. These provisions give rise to the principle of mutual recognition whereby each Member State is obliged to accept onto its market products which are legally manufactured or marketed in another Member State. I attach considerable importance to the live export trade and my Department has been very proactive during my time as Minister in facilitating both the cross border live trade and shipments abroad. Live exports to the UK including Northern Ireland so far this year stand at 34,698 head which represents a 20% increase compared to 2014. Looking at the figures in more detail live exports to Northern Ireland have increased by 8,698 animals from 20,920 to 29,618, an increase of some 41%.

I also have regular engagement with my Northern Ireland counterpart, Minister Michelle O’Neill, on trade and labelling issues to ensure that trade on the island continues to flourish and that there are no regulatory barriers to its development. This is in addition to the substantial interaction which my Department and I have with purchasers of Irish beef on an ongoing basis and I will continue to pursue opportunities for exports of beef and live cattle at every opportunity.