Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Nov 1994

Vol. 446 No. 7

Written Answers. - Cattle Exports.

P. J. Sheehan

Question:

19 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his views on the present level of live exports of cattle in 1994 and in recent years; and his preferred figure for live cattle exports on an annual basis. [2485/94]

Ivor Callely

Question:

154 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the incentives, if any, he has to encourage the slaughter of animals in Ireland and create job opportunities in view of the escalating increase of live cattle exports; the number of animals slaughtered in Ireland; the number of live cattle exported over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2900/94]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 154 together.

The detailed information sought by the Deputies is set out in a tabular statement which is being circulated in the Official Report. In view of the higher employment and added-value derived from the export of beef and the longer term development of the beef sector in Ireland, it is in the national interest to encourage the export of beef rather than live animals. However, I accept that the export of live animals provides for greater competition in the market place although it is not possible to gauge precisely the volume of live exports required for that purpose since that volume would vary from time to time with market circumstances.

As regards incentives to encourage cattle slaughtering, the Government already provides a generous range of State grants for investment in plant and machinery, for research and for market promotion by the beef processing sector. These grants are supplemented by the EU through the Structural Funds. Furthermore, a slaughter premium worth £58.58 per head is payable on all steers slaughtered in Ireland between 1 January and 30 April. Finally, it is Government policy to ensure that EU support mechanisms provide effective encouragement for the export of beef in processed form.

Table

	Live Exports	Cattle Slaughterings *
1989	170,292	1,369,254
1990	184,855	1,578,588
1991	138,078	1,713,503
1992	186,443	1,717,716
1993	384,820	1,615,677
1994†	310,870	1,129,146

* incl. of domestic slaughterings.

†estimate to 24 October 1994.