Vol. 501 No. 1
35 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps, if any, his Department has taken to ensure that there are adequate facilities to provide for the live shipping of cattle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5435/99]
During 1998 the roll-on roll-off ferry capacity for the transport of live animals was significantly augmented by the carriage of cattle on designated vessels. There are now 15 such vessels approved by my Department to carry cattle from Ireland. All these vessels can carry cattle to continental Europe, while 11 of them are also approved to carry cattle to the Middle East.
I am very pleased by the resurgence in live exports of cattle in 1998, with up to 170,000 cattle exported from Ireland to the Continent and third countries. There has been a very significant growth in live cattle exports to the Continent, with over 140,000 head exported to this market alone. This is the highest number in years and represents a sixfold increase over exports in 1997.
There is a perception abroad that obstacles were recently placed in the way of exports of live cattle. Is it true that a cattle boat was recently obliged to leave an Irish port with no animals on board? Is it true that the same boat was loaded with cattle from another European country a number of days later? Everyone wants proper standards and rules – they were agreed in the House in respect of the regulations – to apply to the care, etc. of animals. Is Ireland stricter in its application of those standards and rules than its European counterparts? Countries which are less dependent on live exports than Ireland do not seem to have the same problem. Do we take a more strict approach or are obstacles being placed in the way of the live trade? Was a threat recently made to take away one of our ships?
As stated earlier, 15 vessels have been approved to carry cattle from Ireland. We recognise the importance of the live trade to the Irish cattle industry and no obstacles will be put in the way of any ship, provided it meets the stability requirements. I categorically assure the House that no official in my Department in any way hinders the licensing of ships in order to inhibit or interfere with live exports. We are fully conscious of their value.
Question No. 36 will be taken in ordinary time.
