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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Mar 1974

Vol. 270 No. 14

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Exports to Italy.

220.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state the amount in sterling paid as duty and as compensatory amounts on five cwt. cattle exported to Italy since last September; and if he was responsible for seeking these duties during negotiations in Brussels.

The rate of customs duty paid was 6.4 per cent ad valorem, the actual amount depending on the value of the animal. No accession compensatory amount was payable.

When the Italian authorities sought and received a derogation from the EEC last June to pay a monetary import subsidy on certain calves and young cattle, I secured from EEC, after consultation with the two main farming organisations here, an arrangement whereby there would be an offsetting monetary compensatory charge on our exports of young animals in order that such exports would not further adversely affect our exports of carcase beef or mature cattle, which were already affected by higher import charges into Italy than those on young cattle.

221.

asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if there are export outlets for Irish calves and young cattle in Italy; and the efforts he is making to develop such outlets.

There has been a traditional demand in Italy for certain types of calves and young cattle which has normally been supplied from other continental, including Eastern European countries specialising in those types. I do not think that developing any large scale export of such animals would be in the long-term interest of Irish farmers.

Can the Minister assure me that any such exports will take place in absolutely humane conditions?

I understand that any exports are carried out in a humane manner.

I have received some complaints regarding sheep recently.

We went to the trouble of sending vets with the sheep and these vets reported that there was no suffering.

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