Written Answers. - Live Exports.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:
56
Mr. J. O'Keeffe
asked the
Minister for Agriculture and Food
the reason for the failure to open up live shipping markets of any consequence for Irish cattle; and the steps, if any, he now proposes in this regard bearing in mind current catastrophic prices for cattle.
[12891/99]
Exports of live cattle increased from 56,000 head in 1997 to 180,000 head in 1998 and have already reached 130,000 head this year. These exports are contributing to market price stability, particularly for suckler cow producers, who are generally at the more vulnerable end of the production spectrum.
While cattle prices have recovered substantially since the beginning of the year, they are, nevertheless, below the levels that prevailed this time last year. These lower prices are primarily due to the ongoing impact of the difficulties in the Russian market and the difficulties in some EU markets where consumers are showing a preference for their own domestically produced beef. However, I am confident that our beef exports to EU markets will continue to improve over the next few months and this, in conjunction with a very active live trade should ensure a strengthening in prices.
I will continue to ensure that adequate ferry capacity is available to transport cattle to EU markets. Shipping capacity continues to expand, with 16 dedicated vessels now approved by my Department to complement the existing roll-on roll-off services. In addition, last week my Department approved theMV Venus at Piraeus in Greece for carrying livestock trucks on the Cork to St. Malo route. It is expected that nine to ten livestock trucks will be carried on each voyage.
With regard to the live trade to third country markets these have increased substantially, particularly to the Lebanon. As regards Libya, agreement was reached with a Libyan Government delegation last July providing for the re-opening of the Libyan market for Irish cattle and beef on the basis of agreed veterinary health conditions and terms of contracts. This agreement was the culmination of extensive contacts with the Libyan authorities since early 1997. The Libyan Government, through the general peoples' committee, formally cleared the agreement before the end of September and written confirmation to this effect was received.
Although the Libyan authorities indicated their wish to have the agreement implemented immediately, there have been delays in the conclusion of contracts for Irish cattle. These delays are of serious concern both to myself and the Government. Ongoing contact is being maintained with the Libyan authorities, on a continuing basis, through every appropriate channel, with a view to ensuring that the July agreement is implemented in practice. The Libyan authorities have indicated, as recently as 1 May, that current economic conditions in Libya have resulted in the postponement of the implementation of the agreement but pointed out that they have never failed in the past to honour any agreement reached with another State. I am hopeful therefore that the agreement will be honoured and will continue to take every appropriate step to ensure this outcome.
The only other traditional market for live cattle is Egypt and while it is my objective that all markets should be open to Irish cattle, it should be noted that the nature of that market has changed for Ireland. Egypt has now become the largest market for Irish beef importing 120,000 tonnes of beef in 1998, which is the equivalent of over 350,000 head of cattle.
