asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to recent statements by the United Cattle Traders Association and the Irish Meat Exporters Society on the drop in cattle exports; and, if so, if he will make a statement clarifying the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Exports.
52.
I have seen the statements referred to. Official export statistics for the first four months of 1965 are not yet available but my Department's records of shipments of live cattle by direct boat to Britain and the Continent during that period indicate that the number shipped was about 157,000 as compared with 234,000 in the same period of 1964 and 155,000 in the first four months of 1963. Slaughterings of cattle, other than cows, at beef export premises during the same four months fell from 48,800 head in 1964 to 37,300 head in 1965.
The reasons appear to be the following:
(1) The very large exports in 1964 had the result of reducing the number of cattle in the older age groups in 1965;
(2) The rapid build up of cow numbers in the past year meant that heifers which normally would have been exported have been retained in the breeding herd;
(3) The good demand for store cattle from home feeders.
There are record numbers of young cattle and of cows in the country today. This will ensure a high level of exports of cattle and beef in due course. The general outlook for the trade is good.