The drive is on to double live exports in 2019

AT a meeting between the IFA and the main live exporters in Portlaoise, IFA President Joe Healy said agri minister Michael Creed needs to prioritise the live trade in order to achieve a doubling in export numbers in 2019.

“A strong live export trade is absolutely essential for price competition in the cattle trade and for providing major market outlets, especially for calves and weanlings,” he said.

Joe Healy said the exporters highlighted a number of key issues for the live trade, including maximising ferry and lairage capacity to meet the export supply and demand for calves this year.

The exporters also made it very clear that any reduction in the current 29-day assembly period for the live trade would be very damaging to the sector. Joe Healy said, “IFA has made it very clear to Minister Creed that he cannot allow the EU restrict Irish live exports to the EU single market and under no circumstances can he accept any reduction in the 29-day period”.

Joe Healy said the exporters also raised issues regarding access to Turkey and the need to make more progress on our disease status.

IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods said live exports reached 246,000 head in 2018, of which 158,000 were calves. Weanlings and stores made up 64,000 head and adult cattle 24,000.

The main live export market was Spain, taking over 92,000.