Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:489. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason live exporters are not represented at the beef forum (details supplied). [7225/18]
View answerTuesday, 13 February 2018
Questions (489)
Written answers
The Beef Roundtable was established in April 2014 in order to facilitate open discussion between industry and farming organisations on the strategic path for the beef sector over the coming years. There have been eleven meetings of the Roundtable, the most recent being on 6 February. No decision has been made to widen representation at the Roundtable beyond the original participants.
While the agenda of the most recent meeting did not include a specific item on live exports, the issue was discussed during the Roundtable. The Deputy will be aware that in the last year I have undertaken several trade missions to facilitate access to new markets and develop existing markets for Irish exports. In the last week of January I, along with officials from my Department and Bord Bia, and representatives of Irish live cattle export companies, visited Turkey, which last year was our third largest market for the export of live cattle. I had a successful meeting with my Turkish counterpart, Minister Fakibaba, and we agreed to set up an official contact group to facilitate detailed discussions on certification issues. Minister Fakibaba also confirmed that, from the end of May, private sector buyers will be permitted to import cattle for fattening. Currently this trade is through State body ESK only.
My Department and I will continue to place a great importance on the cattle export trade as a means of providing an alternative market outlet for Irish cattle farmers. This is very much reflected in the increase in live exports in 2017 with an increase of approximately 45,000 head of cattle or 30% compared to 2016. In addition, in 2017 I reduced the veterinary inspection fee that is payable on live exports of calves less than 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.
Question No. 490 withdrawn.