Vol. 527 No. 5
126 Ms Coughlan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the trend in live cattle exports in 2000; the way in which this compares to the numbers exported in the same period in each of the years from 1997 to 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29098/00]
Live cattle exports to end November 2000 are currently 3% ahead of 1999 levels.
Details of cattle exports in the last four years, to end November, are as follows: 1997 – 49,957; 1998 – 298,740; 1999 – 377,879; 2000 – 389,747.
Exports of live cattle both to third country and continental EU markets have grown strongly in recent years. The increase is driven mainly by a high demand for calves and weanlings from Continental EU markets especially Spain and Italy.
