Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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715. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of live cattle exports in each of the years 2010 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30464/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I am keenly aware of the vital role that live exports play in stimulating price competition and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers.  

Live exports will continue to play a part in informing the third country destinations selected for trade negotiations and missions in 2018 as it did in 2017. 

I am pleased that live cattle exports are continuing to flourish in 2018.  Exports of live cattle in the first half of this year came to nearly 170,000 head, an increase of 22% compared to the same period last year.  The largest export market during this period was Spain with 62,372 head of cattle, followed by Netherlands with 45,854 and Italy with 15,343, a significant increase compared to 2016. Exports to Great Britain increased slightly to 3,100 head from January to June 2018, while this period saw a decrease in exports to Northern Ireland (8,600 head).  The largest third country export market during this period was Turkey with 7,948 head of cattle, with cattle also exported to Libya, Tunisia and Morocco.  

In February 2017, I reduced the veterinary inspection fee payable on live exports of calves under three months of age to €1.20 per animal, to bring greater equity in fees payable per consignment in respect of calves, weanlings and adult cattle.  The first half of 2018 saw exports of 138,000 calves, an increase of over 40% compared to the same period for 2017.

The prospects for live cattle exports remain very good.  Irish exporters have a good track record in recent years in securing contracts for the export of fattening and breeding animals to Turkey and there is continued strong interest from Turkish buyers. Demand for livestock in North Africa and the Middle East is influenced by the political environment and our relative cost competitiveness. 

Animal welfare during transport is a key concern, and inspections by my Department ensure that rigorous and robust animal welfare standards are strictly complied with during transport of live cattle.