Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 March 2017
178. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of cattle over three months of age exported in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14737/17]
View answer179. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of cattle under three months of age exported in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14738/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together.
Data from my Department's Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) system show that last year a total of 145,570 head of live cattle were exported from Ireland. Of these, 72,740 were aged below three months, and 72,830 were aged three months or older.
The continental market for young calves has traditionally been important for dairy farmers, providing an important source of income and underpinning the market for such stock. Thus far, 2017 has been positive in terms of live exports with strong sales of calves, particularly to the Netherlands and Spain, seeing overall live exports up by 10,689 head, or 35%, compared to last year.
