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
|