Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 January 2018
178. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department or Bord Bia has analysed marketing regarding nomadic meat in the UK; and the policy options to progress this issue and increase live exports. [3881/18]
View answerThe labelling of food in the European Union is governed by a number of regulations which lay down strict requirements in relation to mandatory country of origin labelling for certain meats.
Under these rules, labels on meat from cattle born and reared in the Republic of Ireland, exported live to Northern Ireland and subsequently slaughtered there must include the member state of birth and rearing and the member state of slaughter. The possibility of a voluntary all-Island label has been raised with British retailers, who have reiterated their longstanding policy of marketing British and Irish beef separately, with a simple, clear origin label.
I am very conscious of the vital role that live exports play in stimulating price competition and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. My Department and Bord Bia are involved in on-going work to encourage and facilitate such exports. Last February, my Department reduced the veterinary inspection fee payable on live exports of calves under three months of age to €1.20 per animal from €4.80 in order to bring greater equity in the fees payable per consignment in respect of calves, weanlings and adult cattle.
The cattle export trade in 2017 was positive after two years of decline. At year’s end, exports of live cattle had increased by over 43,000 head, or 30%, in comparison to 2016. I will continue to work to ensure that Irish meat and livestock producers have the option of exporting to markets abroad for both processed meat and live animals.
