John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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180. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason persons are being informed that 60,000 calves will be exported in view of the fact the structure only allows for 38,000 calves to be exported; the person or body that will deal with the exportation of the remaining 22,000 calves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8556/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The export of calves is an entirely commercial matter.

The function of my department is regulatory in nature, for example through the provision of appropriate animal health certification, or the approval of vessels for the transport of animals to ensure that they comply with animal health and welfare requirements.

Bovines exported from Ireland to France are required under EU law to be rested and fed at lairage facilities in Cherbourg. These facilities are privately owned and operated. They do not have unlimited capacity, and therefore in practical terms, the numbers of animals that can be exported may be limited by the capacity of these lairages.

There has been significant engagement on the matter between my department, the French authorities , lairage owners, exporters and farm bodies, and this is continuing. I raised the matter as recently as yesterday with the French Foreign Minister. Ultimately, however, the provision of lairage capacity in other member states is a matter for commercial operators.

Some 156,000 calves were exported from Ireland in 2018, the main destinations being Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium and France.