Irish government praised for work on expanding live exports

While UK politicians have opened up a consultation on whether this country should continue to allow the export of live animals, their Irish counterparts see the trade as vital to their beef and dairy sectors.

With the current animal transport ferry due to spend time in dry dock, the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) president Joe Healy this week pressed the government minister on whether there would be a suitable replacement.

“The critical issue is that there must be no change in our ferry capacity to export calves during this critical period for farmers and exporters,” he said.

Healy was backed up by IFA livestock chairman Angus Woods, who said: “We need to see a significant increase in calf exports this year. With the increase in the dairy cow numbers and strong market demand in both Holland and Spain, there is a major potential for the trade.”

Woods also welcomed the positive work by the Irish government on opening up the market in Turkey for live beef exports, saying: “Turkey has real potential to become a major market for Irish live cattle exports. IFA visited Turkey late last year and it was clear the market has potential to take up to 100,000 head of cattle per annum from Ireland.

“Turkey wants to develop the trade with Ireland and it is very important that this is fully facilitated.”

Live cattle exports from Ireland last year rose 30 per cent, with numbers at 187,870 head. Calf exports were strong at 101,600 and weanling exports reached 59,200 head.