Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2004
1 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the action she is taking to re-open the live export trade following the imminent withdrawal of the European Diplomat; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29498/04]
View answerThe Government has supported the continuation of the live export trade, as an essential market outlet for Irish farmers. Regarding the transport of animals by sea, my Department's function is to approve sea vessels for the carriage of livestock. The Department works closely with applicant companies to ensure that the conditions aboard such vessels are consistent with national and EU animal welfare requirements. Within this framework, 18 dedicated livestock vessels and three ro-ro vessels have been approved for the carriage of cattle since 1995. However, the actual provision of such services is a commercial matter. It is not possible under EU law for the State to intervene directly in the provision of a service as the Commission previously ruled that State aid paid to secure a similar shipping service to the Continent was incompatible with the single market.
I am exploring all options to facilitate continuation of the live export trade. I have met a number of stakeholders in the industry and have raised the possibility of re-opening the landbridge through the UK with the EU Commissioner, Mr. Byrne. At this week's meeting of the EU standing committee on the food chain and animal health, the Commission indicated its willingness to bring forward a proposal on this matter at an early date. Officials from my Department are working closely with prospective service providers on providing an alternative ferry service. Nevertheless, the transport of live animals is ultimately a commercial matter and my Department has approved a sufficient number of vessels to provide a service if the commercial demand exists. Likewise, it will inspect any further vessels that are proposed for use in transporting cattle.
I wish the Minister well in her new portfolio. The withdrawal from service of the European Diplomat directly threatens the export of more than 200,000 cattle, with an impact on earnings of €150 million per annum. Will the Minister agree there is a need to secure the long-term viability of live cattle exports? Will the Minister elaborate on the discussions that have taken place at EU level? I understand she is seeking approval for the UK landbridge through the UK. What timescale is involved in this? While the Minister states the decision is a commercial matter, will she consider the introduction of legislation to oblige all ferry companies to carry legitimate cargo, including livestock? Will she outline the discussions between her Department and the Commission on securing Marco Polo programme funding to enhance the viability of a service from Ireland to France?
I wish every success to Deputy Naughten as front bench spokesperson and congratulate him on his recent marriage. As the Deputy is from County Roscommon, I do not need to convince him of the importance of the live export trade. From my meetings with the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the farming organisations, a number of ways of resolving this issue have arisen.
One group has expressed an interest. It is looking for guarantees, not necessarily financial, from the Department and is working with the farming organisations and the exporters. Securing Marco Polo programme funds was explored but it is a matter for the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Gallagher. It is based on there being no competition on the route. The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has considered something similar to a PSO, but it would take six months to work out. Following this, it has been decided to re-examine the UK landbridge. I wrote to the EU Commissioner, Mr. Byrne, last week and there was a positive reaction last Monday at official level.
However several barriers have to be crossed. Live animals cannot be transported through the UK and the Welsh Assembly Government will have to be consulted. That will be a matter between the UK and the Commission and I will refer this to my UK counterpart when I am in Brussels on Monday. There is the issue of security in transporting animals and ensuring that they will not be replaced. There was a debacle over animal welfare but there have been considerable changes in animal welfare legislation.
I am not buying or investing in a boat. That said, I am doing everything I can to support both options. As an island nation, we need access to the French market, both for live exports and tourism. I have not considered a legislative framework yet as I prefer not to have to take that road. It is a lucrative business from what I have ascertained from discussions with carriers. I hope market forces will reflect this.
Will the Minister agree that as ferry companies are not obliged to provide services to all cargo, it is a barrier to trade? What action has the Department taken on the French authorities considering introducing IBR-free status and its impact on the export of live cattle through France?
We are not at a stage where we do not have the willingness to carry live exports. The problem is that the service has been withdrawn. Obliging another carrier to take on live exports is not the issue, as carriers have indicated they are more than anxious to ensure that live cattle exports continue from Rosslare. There was a problem regarding exports from Dublin using the landbridge. However, following discussions with exporters, I investigated this only to discover there is no impediment to doing so. The IFA won a case regarding the obligation for a ferry company to carry live cattle. That expired last year, yet live exports continued. The main issue is we have not secured a ferry operation that will carry on live exports.
Live exports is a hot topic and there are those who are vehemently against it, including farming organisations. However, I see it as a fruitful way of ensuring competition and it helps rural areas with the export of weanlings. I have not found any opposition from any our EU partners to this trade.
