Written answers
Wednesday, 19 December 2018
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Live Exports
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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453. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding renewing live trade exports to Egypt; the status of the outstanding certification required before final access is granted; and when these are expected to be granted. [53651/18]
Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Live exports are a critical part of the infrastructure of our livestock industry. They play a significant role in stimulating price competition and provide an alternative market outlet for farmers.
During 1 January to 1 December 2018 live exports totalled 235,000 head of cattle, up 32% from 179,000 for the same period in 2017. This change was driven by a significant increase in exports to other EU countries.
Exports to third countries decreased in 2018 – due in part to currency fluctuations in the Turkish Lira. Nevertheless, nearly 13, 000 head of cattle were exported to Turkey to date this year.
The on-going search for new markets is a priority for my Department. In November my Department reached agreement with the Libyan authorities on veterinary health certificates for the export of breeding, fattening and slaughter cattle. A new certificate for breeding cattle and an amended veterinary certificate for the export of fattening and slaughter cattle were agreed. Having an agreed health cert for breeding cattle provides much more clarity for exporters, as previously exports of breeding cattle to Libya had to be agreed on a load by load basis. The age of cattle that can be exported to Libya increased, from 24 to 30 months – this increases opportunities for exporters to export a wider range of cattle. Live exports to Libya more than doubled this year to date compared to last year (from 1, 830 to 4,489).
Earlier this month, Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD, discussed the issue of animal health certificates with the Egyptian Deputy Minister for Agriculture. The Egyptian authorities indicated willingness to consider amending existing health certificates and putting a new certificate for breeding stock in place. My Department will continue to work with the Egyptian authorities on re-establishing live exports as soon as possible.
The prospects for live cattle exports remain good and my Department continues to engage with third countries and to seek out new markets for live exports.
Live Cattle Exports
Irish Live Cattle Exports, By Selected Country
| Week Ending | % Change | Overall To Date | % Change | Change (Head) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country | 02.12.2017 | 01.12.2018 | Prev. Week | Prev. Year | 2017 | 2018 | ||
| Northern Ireland | 229 | 628 | -11.9 | 174.2 | 25,254 | 22,454 | -11.1 | -2,800 |
| Netherlands | 45 | 212 | 17.8 | 371.1 | 41,806 | 48,832 | 16.8 | 7,026 |
| Spain | 113 | 1,077 | 14 | 853.1 | 49,593 | 87,302 | 76 | 37,709 |
| Italy | 60 | 129 | -56.3 | 115 | 18,814 | 23,237 | 23.5 | 4,423 |
| Belgium | 42 | 100 | -100 | 5,517 | 13,459 | 144 | 7,942 | |
| Great Britain | 181 | 91 | 250 | -49.7 | 5,657 | 5,109 | -9.7 | -548 |
| France | 110 | 100 | 100 | 2,754 | 9,055 | 228.8 | 6,301 | |
| Other Countries | 172 | 181 | -33.5 | 5.2 | 29,676 | 26,014 | -12.3 | -3,662 |
| Total | 842 | 2,428 | -0.1 | 188.4 | 179,071 | 235,462 | 31.5 | 56,391 |
Source: DAFM
Irish Live Cattle Exports, Jan to 1 December (head)
| 2017 | 2018 | Change - head | % Ch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total United Kingdom | 30,911 | 27,563 | -3,348 | -10.8 |
| Great Britain | 5,657 | 5,109 | -548 | -9.7 |
| Northern Ireland | 25,254 | 22,454 | -2,800 | -11.1 |
| Total Continental EU | 120,936 | 189,260 | 68,324 | 56.5 |
| Belgium | 5,517 | 13,459 | 7,942 | 144 |
| Bulgaria | 57 | -57 | -100 | |
| Cech Republic | 9 | 711 | 702 | 7800 |
| Denmark | 100 | |||
| Finland | 100 | |||
| France | 2,754 | 9,055 | 6,301 | 228.8 |
| Germany | 469 | 219 | -250 | -53.3 |
| Greece | 882 | 1,396 | 514 | 58.3 |
| Hungary | 80 | 24 | -56 | -70 |
| Italy | 18,814 | 23,237 | 4,423 | 23.5 |
| Lithuania | 100 | |||
| Luxemburg | 100 | |||
| Malta | 100 | |||
| Netherlands | 41,806 | 48,832 | 7,026 | 16.8 |
| Poland | 2,431 | 2,431 | 100 | |
| Portugal | 136 | 136 | 100 | |
| Romania | 810 | 757 | -53 | -6.5 |
| Slovakia | 145 | 1,440 | 1,295 | 893.1 |
| Slovenia | 100 | |||
| Spain | 49,593 | 87,302 | 37,709 | 76 |
| Sweden | 100 | |||
| Total Non-EU | 27,224 | 18,900 | -8,324 | -30.6 |
| Albania | 100 | |||
| Egypt | 100 | |||
| Israel | 100 | |||
| Kazakhstan | 100 | |||
| Kosovo | 35 | 61 | 26 | 74.3 |
| Lebanon | 355 | 355 | 100 | |
| Libya | 1,830 | 4,489 | 2,659 | 145.3 |
| Montenegro | 100 | |||
| Morocco | 620 | 620 | 100 | |
| Russia | 451 | 291 | -160 | -35.5 |
| Rwanda | 54 | 50 | -4 | -7.4 |
| S.Arabia | 100 | |||
| Tunisia | 164 | 164 | 100 | |
| Turkey | 24,854 | 12,870 | -11,984 | -48.2 |
| Total | 179,071 | 235,462 | 56,391 | 31.5 |
Source: DAFM
Irish Live Cattle Exports, Jan to 1 December (head)
| 2017 | 2018 | Change - head | % Ch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weanlings | 26,829 | 30,559 | 3,730 | 13.9 |
| Stores | 24,859 | 26,364 | 1,505 | 6.1 |
| Calves | 101,268 | 157,138 | 55,870 | 55.2 |
| Finished | 26,115 | 21,401 | -4,714 | -18.1 |
| Total | 179,071 | 235,462 | 56,391 | 31.5 |
Source: DAFM
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