Vol. 477 No. 1
201 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the current level of exports of live cattle; the new and additional incentives, if any, there are to encourage the slaughter of animals in Ireland; if he will give a breakdown of live cattle and slaughtered cattle exports over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6609/97]
212 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of cattle slaughtered in Ireland in each of the years from 1991 to 1996; his views on the potential market for such products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8502/97]
217 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the incentives, if any, he has considered to encourage job opportunities in cattle slaughtering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8507/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 201, 212 and 217 together. The level of exports of live cattle up to the week ending 9 March 1997 was 10,748 head. Since the beginning of the year there have been no live exports to third countries. In 1996 approximately 90 per cent of cattle produced in Ireland were slaughtered in Irish abattoirs with 10 per cent exported live. Under the Government strategy for the food industry, the objective is to maximise the value added aspect of the cattle and beef industry. Grants are available for investment, market promotion and research in the beef sector. The deseasonalisation premium which is payable on slaughterings of steers between 1 January and 10 June is also a very important element of this strategy. The premium has served to even out the level of slaughterings throughout the year, thereby providing a steady throughout of cattle and allowing factories to operate their enterprises and marketing arrangements more efficiently.
While it is Government policy to maximise the added value potential of the beef industry, a certain quantity of live exports is necessary to maintain competition in the market place. Following is a breakdown of total cattle slaughterings, live cattle exports and beef exports over the years in question.
|
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
|
|
Cattle Slaughterings |
1,497,000 |
1,512,000 |
1,417,000 |
1,271,000 |
1,363,000 |
1,514,000 |
|
Live Cattle Exports (head) |
186,443 |
379,100 |
403,800 |
370,000 |
190,000 |
|
|
*Beef Exports (`000 tonnes cwe) |
375 |
515 |
598 |
583 |
430 |
