DUBLIN: The decline is attributed to better domestic beef prices, stronger live export trade flows to Northern Ireland and dairy farmer expansion
The live cattle export trade to Britain has more than halved according to figures supplied by Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney in response to a parliamentary question from Roscommon South-Leitrim TD Denis Naughton.
In his reply, Minister Coveney said that so far in 2015, approximately 8,500 head of cattle have been exported to Britain, which is a more than 50% decline in the 18,000 or so head exported in 2014. The Minister attributed this decline to the improved domestic beef price in Ireland in 2015 compared to the previous year and an almost 10% increase in the live trade to Northern Ireland, up by over 4,000 head in the year to date to around 58,000. This trade has been assisted by the relative strength of sterling in recent times.
The minister added that dairy farmers expanding their production may have also have played a part in decreased live cattle exports to Britain.
“With the abolition of milk quota it can be assumed that some farmers have elected to hold on to calves and weanlings which would be normally destined for foreign markets,” said Coveney.
The minister also outlined that a system of transport links is in place to facilitate live exports and extra roll-on roll-off ferry capacity for livestock exports had been added since the beginning of 2015.
“Three dedicated vessels and three roll-on roll-off ships are currently approved for export of live animals. The process to approve two more dedicated vessels is also well under way,” added Minister Coveney.
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