Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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178. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of cattle over three months of age exported in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14737/17]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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179. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of cattle under three months of age exported in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14738/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together.

Data from my Department's Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) system show that last year a total of 145,570 head of live cattle were exported from Ireland. Of these, 72,740 were aged below three months, and 72,830 were aged three months or older.

The continental market for young calves has traditionally been important for dairy farmers, providing an important source of income and underpinning the market for such stock. Thus far, 2017 has been positive in terms of live exports with strong sales of calves, particularly to the Netherlands and Spain, seeing overall live exports up by 10,689 head, or 35%, compared to last year.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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180. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of pigs exported in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14739/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The total number of live pigs exported from Ireland in 2016 was 492,129, down 23% on the previous year.

The majority of live pig exports are destined for slaughter in Northern Ireland, which provides a useful alternative outlet for pigmeat processing.

There is also a small proportion of cross border trade in pure bred breeding swine to Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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181. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of sheep exported in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14740/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The intra EU and importation of animals is recorded on the European Commissions Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES). Data from the TRACES system shows that in 2016, Ireland exported 46,189 sheep in total. 30,630 of these animals went for fattening, 15,420 went direct for slaughter and a total of 139 were exported for breeding. Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands were the main destinations. This represents an increase of approximately 45% on 2015, with the value of live exports rising to approximately €7 million.