Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Oct 1998

Vol. 494 No. 4

Written Answers. - Live Exports.

Willie Penrose

Question:

221 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of vessels approved by his Department for the transportation of shipments of live cattle out of Ireland; if he has satisfied himself that there is adequate capacity available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18711/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Nine dedicated livestock vessels have been approved for the export of cattle out of Ireland. Two further vessels are under active consideration.

I am happy to state that there is adequate capacity available for live exports. Commercial operators of roll-on/roll-off ferries, both Pandoro and Irish Ferries, are again carrying livestock to the Continent and this is being augmented by the carriage of large numbers of animals on dedicated vessels. So far this year, about 90,000 cattle have gone to the Continent. This is almost four times the number of cattle exported in all of 1997 and is headed towards twice the number exported in 1996.

Cattle exports to the EU so far this year are already almost on a par with what was exported in 1995, which was a high point for the trade. Between 4,000 and 6,000 cattle a week have been exported to the Continent in recent weeks and it is expected that exports will continue at a high level. On that basis, the 1998 export numbers to the Continent should be at the highest level in four years. In addition, a further 16,500 cattle have been exported to the Lebanon this year and I expect that the Libyan trade will resume shortly.