Vol. 545 No. 3
51 Mr. J. Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will continue to resist attempts by Germany and other member states to have export refunds on live cattle removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30054/01]
The abolition of export refunds on live cattle was raised by Germany at the meeting of the agriculture Council of Ministers last week and was supported by a number of other member states. I objected strongly to the German suggestion, which would effectively terminate a perfectly legitimate trade which is of considerable importance to Irish producers in view of our dependence on export markets and the need to provide competition in the market place for cattle.
While the slaughtering of animals close to production would be the ideal, the fact is that the demand is for live animals rather than for beef in many of our export markets. The reality, of course, is that if EU countries do not supply these markets, the gap will be filled by non-EU countries where animal welfare standards are not as rigorous, with a consequent worsening of conditions for animals being exported. In that situation, the overall welfare of cattle in international trade would suffer.
I am conscious of the animal welfare concerns surrounding the transport of animals both within and outside the European Union and I am satisfied that the measures now in place, such as the linking of the payment of export refunds to compliance with animal welfare rules, ensure that the transport of animals to third countries takes place only in accordance with the highest animal welfare standards. In addition, I have put in place a rigorous and detailed statutory inspection process for approving vessels to carry livestock. I am satisfied that transport by sea does not adversely affect animals if the strict measures are complied with and properly policed.
