Vol. 520 No. 4
78 Mr. D. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans, if any, he has to maintain the buoyant export trade in live cattle; if he has satisfied himself that sufficient shipping capacity exists to cater for the growing volume of the trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16103/00]
More than 416,000 cattle were exported from Ireland in 1999, an increase of more than 245,000 over the previous year. This year also looks set to be a record year, with live exports running at almost 207,000 to 21 May compared with 144,000 in the same period last year. I am satisfied there is sufficient shipping capacity available to meet current demands.
As regards the future, my Department will continue to support the further development of existing outlets and the gaining of access to new markets. In addition it will continue to facilitate the carriage of livestock to our markets in Europe and the Middle East, by processing applications for the approval of livestock ships as expeditiously as possible, while ensuring that these vessels are capable of transporting live animals in acceptable conditions. In the long-term, strict adherence by all concerned to the standards set by my Department for vessels transporting cattle to overseas markets will help to preserve the future of live exports and the livelihoods of livestock farmers in this country.
