Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 7 Dec 1993

Vol. 436 No. 7

Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Questions. - Export of Cattle.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

13 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the total number of live cattle exported to date in 1993 and in the same period in 1992; if export of cattle on the hoof is economically less beneficial than the slaughter and processing of animals in this country; if his attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by employers and unions in the meat industry as to the implications for jobs of exports of live cattle on this level; the steps, if any, he plans to take to control the export of live cattle; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

57 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of cattle exported on the hoof in each of the past five years; the increase and decrease for each year; the categories being exported; the ports from which the exports are taking place; the plans, if any, he has to have this matter changed to a more productive use with a view to creating more employment in meat processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Mr. O'Shea

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 57 together.

The statistical details for the years 1988 to 1992 are set out in a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.

The categories being exported comprise mainly calves and weanlings to EC markets and stores and heavy forward stores to third country markets. Exports have gone through the ports of Cork, Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, Greenore, Rosslare and Waterford.

This year, live exports amounted to 260,000 head as at 21 November 1993, compared with some 100,000 head in the same period in 1992. A number of factors have contributed to the increase in live exports this year. Firstly, some important third country markets which had been disrupted since 1989 owing to the BSE scare in the UK were re-opened. Secondly, the substantial reduction in imports into the EC of calves from third countries in 1992 and 1993 created a scarcity of calves in the Community and this led to increased demand for Irish calves.

There are greater benefits to the economy from exports of beef compared to live animals in terms of employment and value added and this is reflected in Government policy, notably by way of generous State grants for investment in beef processing. I am fully aware of the concerns of employer and union representatives about the implications for employment of live exports and the Minister, with the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, met them recently to discuss their concerns. I should mention that the Beef Management Committee meeting in Brussels on 26 November 1993 decided to restore the relationship that existed between live cattle and beef under the export refund system up to last July. This should assist the competitiveness of beef exports. It is not open to me to take measures to prevent the export of live animals provided that they are exported in accordance with Community legislation but I will continue to press the European Commission to ensure that no element of Community policy is disadvantageous to the export of beef in processed form. Following is the statement:

The numbers of live cattle exported in the past five years were as follows:

Year	Head	Percentage Change on Previous Year
1998	235,593	+0.4
1989	170,292	–28.0
1990	184,855	+8.6
1991	138,078	–25.3
1992	186,443	+35.0

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I am calling Deputy McManus for one brief and final supplementary, bearing in mind that we have exceeded the time allowed for Priority Questions.

Ms McManus

This is an important matter. Many workers' jobs depend on the future supply of meat and cattle to their plants. The Minister has not acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. I raised this last February and I was told that the Minister——

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Let us have a question, Deputy.

Ms McManus

Will the Minister not agree that this massive increase in live cattle exports is damaging our meat industry, is creating fear and threatening jobs and the future development of jobs, and is simply a luxury that we cannot afford? It is stated that Government policy is to support processing at home. What precisely does the Minister intend to do to make that policy work? He says he cannot get directly involved in ensuring that there is a supply. However, if it is Government policy then it must have some effect. There has been a massive increase in live cattle exports to the detriment of the existing meat industry and, in particular, to the detriment of any future development of the meat processing industry. I have had no reply from the Minister as to what he intends to do other than simply plead with the EU to change the rules. How does the Minister envisage the GATT, if concluded, impacting on the future of our meat processing industry?

Mr. O'Shea

We would all like to see the day when all animals reared here are slaughtered here because that would be more advantageous to our economy in terms of employment. However, we do not make the rules; they are made at Commission level. We have succeeded in restoring the balance that existed last July in regard to export refunds.

Mr. Dukes

The Government got the refunds reduced for everybody. Is that success?

Mr. Crawford

It was a 10 per cent reduction.

Mr. O'Shea

Obviously we would have preferred a levelling upwards, but this is how the Commission dealt with it.

Mr. Crawford

The Minister agrees that they actually organised a levelling down.

Mr. Dukes

If you had one arm shorter than the other you would chop a bit off both to make them even.

Mr. O'Shea

An expert group on the food industry has looked at the beef area. The Deputy would do well to bear in mind that as a market outlet intervention is diminishing and there is an operational programme in place and moneys committed to that. We can have the funds for research and development, for market development and for various other areas so that we can add value to our beef and ensure wider markets. The bottom line is that market forces obtain and the Commission has during this year made it more attractive in some instances to export cattle live than to slaughter them here. There will be a slaughter premium in place as of 1 January which will be paid to producers who make their animals available for slaughter on our processing plants.

Mr. Dukes

A year later.