Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 October 2004
8 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps which have been taken to reopen the live cattle trade in Libya and Egypt; the country or countries from which they are now sourcing their needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24506/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe live cattle trade is an important and valuable dimension to total trade in agricultural products. It provides a balance to the beef trade and a valuable outlet for farmers at particular periods during the year in the disposal of calves and weanlings. The live trade is a critical component to overall competition in the beef trade. Access to all markets is intrinsic to free and open competition and it is my policy that there should be free and open access to all markets both within the EU and in third countries for Irish beef and cattle.
The Republic of Ireland has considerable trade in live cattle to EU destinations, notably the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Northern Ireland. There is also a considerable trade in live cattle to Lebanon. Last year total live exports amounted to some 221,000 animals, equivalent to 12% of domestic slaughterings. While the live trade has been less buoyant this year, this signifies a better return on price at slaughter plants and a strong export market for beef.
My Department will continue its efforts to ensure that difficulties associated with commercial live exports to Libya can be overcome. 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, the Libyan Foreign Minister indicated that it had not been possible to import live cattle because of what he called logistical problems. Efforts at diplomatic and technical level are continuing to ensure that the agreement signed with Libya is fully implemented.
With regard to Egypt, while efforts were made to re-open that market to live cattle from Ireland, the Egyptian authorities opted to lift the ban for beef only. The BSE-related ban continues to apply to live cattle. The Egyptian market was previously a large-scale market for Irish beef, taking close on 154,000 tonnes at its peak. The current position is that the Egyptian market is open to Irish beef but for commercial reasons and in view of demand for Irish beef within the EU, traders are opting instead to supply these markets.
I see the Minister has the same script writer as her predecessor.
He tells the truth.
The Minister did not tell us much. The Minister was asked where Libyans are sourcing their products at present. It is important that we know what the opposition is and why we are not getting in there. The Libyan market was supposedly opened up in 2000 and the market in Egypt got a few tonnes of beef at the same time but nothing has happened since. I am not criticising the Minister but she mentioned that she was on this side of the House when BSE was rampant and I remember her party telling us how easy it was to open these markets. During that crisis we kept the live trade to Egypt going in a difficult situation.
Farmers are being badly hit with regard to beef prices. There is difficulty in selling cattle at a reasonable price. In that context, several people have asked me the reason the Libyan market is being ignored and no effort is being made to penetrate those markets. The old saying is that to keep a market live, one must have a live market. We need to have some opposition to the present meat regime which seems to have a monopoly on price decisions.
The Minister is new to the Department. We look at what is possible and at how the prices can be supported by other means than just the meat factories.
If it were easy to do, then I assure the Deputy it would be done. Those on this side of the House are great advocates of the live export trade. I do not agree with the Deputy's view that it is difficult to sell beef at present. Our trade has changed from being almost completely live export to high quality beef production, which is very important. There has been a deficit in the EU. The Department, Bord Bia and the farming organisations have done much work with the commercial processors to access those good markets. There has been a difficulty with the Italian market which provided great opportunities for Ireland's beef sector, but the situation has improved considerably as a result of much work, and a better price is now being achieved for Irish beef products.
I am an advocate of the live export trade. The Libyan issue is causing some difficulties. Ireland has been officially listed. Libya subsequently issued some tenders for the supply of beef and Ireland was one of the countries included. A number of Irish companies submitted bids at the time but were unsuccessful. The Deputy asked whether efforts are being made. They are still being made at both a diplomatic and veterinary level to secure permission from the Libyan veterinary authorities for Irish beef to be imported. This has not been successful to date but the Government will renew its efforts in that regard. On the question as to where Libya sources its beef, I do not have an answer for the Deputy but if that information is available to me, I will forward it to him.
Will the Minister inform the House what is the price available for O and R grades in the meat factories? That will give some indication of the difficulties being experienced.
Many new markets have been opened in recent years. In particular, the market in European countries for live weanlings has been significant. I do not expect the Minister to have an answer now but will she inform the House as soon as possible of the amount of beef exported to European countries both as live weanlings and dead beef?
I suggest the Deputy table a question. The Minister may reply.
As the Deputy will be aware, 500,000 tonnes of beef are exported. Deputy Crawford asked a question on prices for O grades. I know the price of R3 steers but I am stuck on the price of O grades. If the Deputy listens to the farming news on RTE, he will learn the price at the marts and at the factories.
That is the reason I am looking for a live trade.
I say fair play to the Minister.
I have not had time to record it but some of the other Deputies may be able to inform the Deputy. It is a while since I bought anything in a mart or have been involved in the industry. I imagine the Deputy knows the answer.
