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Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2014

Tuesday, 17 June 2014

Questions (529)

Michael Creed

Question:

529. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to concerns in the farming community regarding new restrictions on the slaughtering of Irish born bovines in Northern Ireland and the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25884/14]

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Written answers

My Department attaches considerable importance to the live export trade and, over the years, has been very active in facilitating shipments abroad. Live exports serve a dual purpose as a means of satisfying legitimate market demands for live animals and providing alternative market outlets for farmers.

Despite concerns about the trade in live cattle, total exports to date this year are 140,000 head, of which 24,000 went to the UK, an increase of some 3,370 head or 16% up on the comparable period in 2013. Of this 24,000, some 17,000 went to Northern Ireland which is an increase of 10% on the same period in 2013.

However, the potential to grow the live trade to the UK even further is constrained by the buying specifications operated by the British retail chains in relation to cattle born in this country and exported live for finishing and processing in that market. The retailers’ long-standing policy is to market British and Irish beef separately. This means that beef must be sourced from animals originating in one country; i.e. born, reared and slaughtered in the same country. In addition, logistical difficulties arise when a small number of Irish-born animals are slaughtered in a UK meat plant. Under mandatory EU labelling rules, these carcases have to be deboned in a separate batch, packaged and labelled accordingly, thereby incurring additional costs for the processor. This therefore decreases the attractiveness of animals born or reared in the Republic.

While Bord Bia has repeatedly raised this issue with British retailers over the years, they are unlikely to reverse their marketing policy in the short term. Nevertheless Bord Bia, will continue to pursue all opportunities to maximise the full potential of the beef and livestock trade with our largest trading partner. In addition Bord Bia actively supports the development of the live export trade through the provision of market information, developing market access and promotional activity.

I will continue to engage with my Northern counterpart, Ms Michelle O’Neill, on issues relevant to producers including cross-border trade. However according to the report produced by Mr. Michael Dowling for the Beef Roundtable discussions on 3 June last it is unlikely that the retailers’ position will change in the short term.

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