Michael Ring
Ceist:123 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on the EU live cattle proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25470/03]
Written Answers. - Beef Exports.
Michael Ring
Ceist:129 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he intends to reject the EU proposals on the live cattle export trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25471/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 129 together.
The European Commission presented its proposal amending Council Directive 91/628 on the welfare of animals during transport, in July of this year. Discussions are currently at a preliminary stage at EU level with member states expressing different views on a number of contentious issues. As with many Commission proposals, it is likely the detailed provisions will change prior to final agreement.
There are a number of aspects in the current draft proposal, which are of concern, both from an animal welfare perspective and from the point of view of the continued economic viability of the live export trade to Europe. These include, in particular, the proposed abolition of staging posts, the proposal to rest animals on board road vehicles and changes in stocking densities and journey times. My Department has expressed its general reservations on these aspects in the discussions. I assure the Deputy I am conscious of the importance of the live export trade to the livelihoods of the many thousands involved in livestock farming in Ireland and am determined to ensure that this particular dimension is kept firmly in view as negotiations on the current proposals proceed.
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:124 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps he is taking to reopen the live export trade with Egypt and Libya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25585/03]
Paul McGrath
Ceist:140 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps he has taken to re-establish the cattle trade with Libya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25469/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 140 together.
It is my policy and that of the Government to ensure Irish livestock or beef exporters have unrestricted access to world markets. An agreement signed with Libya in June 2000 provided that Ireland would be officially listed as a source country for all Libyan tenders for the supply of live cattle. Since then, however, the Libyan Foreign Minister indicated that it had not been possible to import live cattle because of what he called logistical problems and that Libya would buy beef directly. Libya subsequently issued tenders for the supply of beef and Ireland was included in the list of countries invited to tender. I understand a number of Irish companies submitted bids at that time. Efforts at diplomatic and technical level are continuing to ensure that the agreement signed with Libya is fully implemented in so far as it relates to cattle exports.
With regard to live cattle exports to Egypt the position is that proposals for a trial shipment of live cattle were submitted to the Egyptian authorities in 1997 but these proposals were not implemented. The lack of a market for live cattle exports to Egypt had been, however, more than offset by the volume of trade in beef exports to that country in the period up to 2001. The Egyptian market was re-opened to imports of Irish beef in late 2001 following an intensive political, technical and diplomatic campaign. Resumption of trade in commercial volumes had been hampered by conditions imposed by the Egyptian authorities on the type of cuts eligible for that market. Agreement was reached with the Egyptian authorities last September on the removal of these conditions and on new certification arrangements which now open the way for a resumption in trade. There is evidence of strong demand for Irish beef in the Egyptian market and with the recently negotiated 30% increase in EU export subsidies, it is open to Irish exporters to avail of the outlet and regain a position in this important market.