Vol. 474 No. 6
266 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number and locations of markets which were open to Ireland in each of the years from 1990 to 1996 for live and carcase exports; if he will make a statement on the markets which are currently available for Irish cattle; and the action, if any, which is being taken for the expansion of these markets. [3798/97]
Ireland trades freely in cattle and beef with over 80 countries around the world. As regards live cattle, the principal markets are other EU countries, Libya and Egypt. In so far as carcase beef is concerned, the main destination are the other EU countries, with some small quantities going to eastern Europe and, from time to time, to Iran. The following tables illustrate the position in respect of the years 1990 to 1996. It is worth noting that Ireland also exports substantial quantities of boneless beef to a wide variety of destinations. For the sake of completeness figures are also attached in respect of the total beef export trade.
Since the outbreak of BSE, Ireland has experienced a number of difficulties in its cattle trade with countries outside the EU. Libya suspended imports from Ireland in May 1990 but lifted the restriction in late 1992. However trade was again suspended in April 1996 when Libya imposed a ban on the import of all cattle and beef from Europe. Egypt suspended imports of Irish cattle in 1990 but lifted the ban in 1992. Trade continued unimpeded until January 1997 when the Egyptian authorities imposed a further ban. The BSE-related difficulties have also affected the trade in carcase beef with Iran. However this market is volatile, with exports liable to vary widely from year to year.
Strenuous efforts are being made to have the markets in question reopened. In so far as Egypt is concerned, the Egyptian authorities are currently considering the report of a high level veterinary delegation which visited Ireland last month. I am monitoring the situation closely and I am pressing for an early and favourable decision. The position in relation to Libya is that renewed efforts are being made to finalise the visit of a technical delegation to Ireland. I am also arranging for a veterinary delegation to visit Iran in the coming weeks with a view to resumption of that trade.
In addition to the above, my Department and I are working closely with the other agencies — Department of Foreign Affairs and An Bord Bia — to promote the quality and safety of Irish beef by means of diplomatic representation, promotional visits, attendance at trade fairs, technical delegations and other activities which have the effect of confirming and reinforcing the excellent image of Irish cattle and beef. Following are the tables:
Exports of Live Cattle from Ireland
1990-1996 (No. of head)
|
Total |
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 (est.) |
|
184,855 |
138,087 |
186,443 |
362,954 |
390,424 |
338,895 |
189,900 |
|
|
UK |
119,211 |
89,160 |
69,185 |
25,411 |
10,481 |
8,195 |
9,600 |
|
France |
9,603 |
14,550 |
15,333 |
10,535 |
7,677 |
— |
3,400 |
|
Netherlands |
— |
4,661 |
29,115 |
32,269 |
39,002 |
21,292 |
10,500 |
|
Italy |
— |
13,024 |
16,492 |
32,925 |
22,344 |
22,729 |
8,500 |
|
Germany |
— |
— |
2,103 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Spain |
— |
— |
— |
12,726 |
19,417 |
15,320 |
16,600 |
|
Portugal |
2,322 |
— |
— |
1,336 |
5,216 |
— |
— |
|
Libya |
43,027 |
— |
— |
35,528 |
6,833 |
82,433 |
33,000 |
|
Egypt |
— |
— |
27,842 |
172,893 |
261,417 |
174,373 |
106,200 |
|
S. Arabia |
2,095 |
— |
10,460 |
21,188 |
13,200 |
6,047 |
— |
|
Bahrain |
1,546 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Yemen |
2,915 |
13,967 |
12,238 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Canary Islands |
— |
1,340 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Other |
4,136 |
1,385 |
3,045 |
18,143 |
4,837 |
8,506 |
2,100 |
|
Total |
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
|
114,074 |
66,505 |
71,748 |
79,132 |
74,472 |
61,725 |
to end July |
|
|
UK |
31,695 |
29,067 |
28,610 |
27,415 |
10,293 |
7,776 |
5,824 |
|
France |
27,943 |
20,664 |
19,510 |
31,295 |
37,207 |
35,391 |
14,178 |
|
Belgium |
— |
— |
— |
113 |
2,311 |
— |
— |
|
Netherlands |
4,387 |
8,822 |
12,689 |
9,435 |
9,036 |
9,581 |
2,753 |
|
Germany |
2,137 |
1,859 |
1,871 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Italy |
2,765 |
2,872 |
2,823 |
6,509 |
6,027 |
5,058 |
1,634 |
|
Portugal |
579 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Greece |
— |
1,231 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Spain |
346 |
215 |
387 |
1,150 |
1,133 |
893 |
— |
|
Iran |
32,181 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Morocco |
— |
839 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
USSR |
3,870 |
— |
5,173 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Libya |
— |
— |
— |
— |
432 |
— |
— |
|
Romania |
4,928 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Hungary |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1,854 |
— |
— |
|
Bulgaria |
830 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Poland |
— |
— |
— |
— |
3,614 |
— |
— |
|
Other |
2,413 |
937 |
685 |
3,215 |
2,564 |
3,026 |
1,824 |
|
1990-1996 |
Tonnes carcase weight equivalent |
|
1990 |
371,300 |
|
1991 |
405,300 |
|
1992 |
502,000 |
|
1993 |
473,000 |
|
1994 |
429,300 |
|
1995 |
456,700 |
|
1996 |
160,658(to end June 1996) |
