Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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568. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of beef and dairy calf registrations in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of live exports of beef and dairy calves in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the way in which these exports compare to other years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22117/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The figures for beef and dairy calf registrations for 2014-2017 (to date), and the number of live exports of beef and dairy calves for 2007-2017 (to date) are as follows. These figures are also available on my Department's website.

*Defined by the progeny of a beef/dairy breed

I am very conscious of the vital role that live exports play in providing an alternative market outlet for farmers.  My Department and Bord Bia are involved in on-going work to encourage and facilitate such exports.

The cattle export trade in 2017 is positive after two years of decline.

Live exports for 2017 are up 38% on 2016 levels.

Total exports for 2017 amount to 92,199 compared to 66,595 in 2016.

I recently reduced the veterinary inspection fee payable on live exports of calves under three months of age to €1.20 per animal from €4.80, in order to bring greater equity in the fees payable per consignment in respect of calves, weanlings and adult cattle.  The live calf export trade with the EU has proved difficult in recent years for a number of reasons, including changes in animal health rules in Belgium and changes in the interpretation of the EU rules on animal transport in the Netherlands.  However, my Department has been working closely with the Dutch authorities on the transport issue and over 36,000 calves have been exported to the Netherlands in this year to date, 10,000 more than in the whole of 2016.

Last year saw significant developments in exports of cattle to third countries. We exported almost 20,000 head to Turkey in 2016 and two shipments of cattle have taken place to date this year, with indications that there will be further shipments this year. In relation to the other significant potential third country markets for live exports, Ireland reached agreement with Egypt in 2016 on a health certificate for slaughter cattle. My Department has been actively discussing with the Egyptian authorities the possibility of agreement on a health certificate for fattening cattle. Good progress has been made on this matter and I am optimistic that an agreement can be finalised in the near future.

My Department is also looking at the possibility of bilateral health certificates for the export of cattle to Kazakhstan and has identified Israel as a live export market of potential interest to exporters. Agreement on health certificates has been reached by my Department with all other live export markets identified as being of potential interest to Ireland.  At present 9 non-EU markets (Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Montenegro, Morocco, Serbia, Tunisia, and most recently Turkey) are currently open to live cattle from Ireland, in addition to all EU Member States.  Demand from North Africa and the Middle East for live cattle will depend on the political environment there as well as Ireland’s cost competitiveness.

I will continue to work to ensure that Irish meat and livestock producers have the option of exporting to markets abroad.