June 2, 2022

 

Live cattle shipments from Ireland 11% up this year

 

Live cattle shipments from Ireland have increased 11% so far this year, and be will improved further thanks to the country's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) postponing the introduction of a new rule that mandates livestock to depart from Ireland within 14 days of leaving their farm or herd, the Irish Examiner reported.

 

Cattle live exports for the year totalled 155,061 head as of April 29, an increase of 15,871 head, or 11%, over the same period in 2021.

 

The DAFM has postponed the implementation of the new rule due to recent challenges to live exports caused by a lack of ferry and lairage capacity, both of which were beyond the exporters' control.

 

According to Bord Bia, the state agency promoting sales of Irish food and horticulture, strong calf exports to continental Europe, with the Netherlands being the standout market so far this year, are driving the increase in numbers. Calf exports to Spain have fallen 16% this year compared to the same period last year, but are expected to rebound due to strong demand for calves in the market. This year, calves were exported in smaller numbers to Italy, Northern Ireland, Belgium, and Poland.

 

The only livestock-approved vessel operating the Rosslare to Cherbourg route, Stena Horizon, was taken out of service for maintenance in early April, causing a brief halt in trade.

 

The live export of older cattle has been more restrained. Exports to Northern Ireland have fallen significantly since 2021, though exports of animals for direct processing have remained stable.

 

Lower exports to Northern Ireland were partially offset by higher exports to third-country markets, albeit for lower-quality animals than would have been exported to Northern Ireland. The Animal Health Law (EU Regulation 429 of 2016), which went into effect in April 2021, resulted in new live export regulations.

 

Animals must stay in a single establishment (herd) for a minimum of 30 days before being considered eligible to be exported either directly from that herd or through a maximum of three assembly operations prior to departure to another country.

 

From the time an animal leaves its place of origin to the time it departs the ultimate assembly centre in Ireland for another member state, there is a 14-day time limit. Furthermore, each animal used in assembly operations must be transported to its final destination in another Member State within 20 days of leaving the origination establishment.

 

This allows it to travel to another member state in up to six days.

 

In the case of animal transportation by sea, the 20-day period may be extended by the length of the voyage.

 

Noting recent challenges to live exports due to unavailability of ferry and lairage capacity, which were beyond the control of the exporters, the DAFM announced that the 14-day rule would be temporarily delayed.

 

These rules apply to animals being imported into Ireland as well, assisting in the preservation of the national herd's high health status.

 

-      Irish Examiner