Less than 8% of all Irish beef exports in 2004 were in the form of live cattle. Exports to the Lebanon that year constituted less than 10% of all live exports and the Lebanese trade was only 20% of what it was five years ago. Live exports, while small in volume terms, are a vital component of Ireland's livestock industry, and are essential for price competition and maintaining farm incomes.
In recent years, the focus of the Irish beef industry has been to add value and to broaden and expand its market reach at EU retail level, shifting its orientation away from international commodity markets and into the higher priced internal EU marketplace. I am aware of the social, moral and economic imperative to ensure that the transport of animals over long distances is conducted in a manner which safeguards the welfare of animals being transported and minimises the risk of transmitting infectious diseases. The vast majority of live exports take place to other EU member states.
The preservation of the animal health status of the country, the international reputation of veterinary certification services and the existence and application of a regulatory framework ensures that high standards and welfare considerations are central to the live export trade.