Minister must intervene if live export capacity not replaced - MEP
An Irish MEP believes the government must be ready to step in if industry does not replace lost live export capacity.
The comments come as Stena Line confirmed yesterday (Monday, June 30) that it will withdraw its three-day Rosslare to Cherbourg ferry service from the end of September this year.
The move will impact Irish-based calf exporters who depend on the service to get large volumes of calves to key markets in mainland Europe.
The route is also used to transport significant numbers of other livestock to mainland Europe including weanlings, older cattle and horses.
Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher warned that any reduction in ferry capacity in terms of the live export of animals from Ireland to mainland Europe will be highly damaging to Irish agriculture.
The Ireland South MEP was a leading negotiator in the last mandate on the issue of animal welfare during transit.
“This is a major blow to the dairy sector in Ireland which relies heavily on live animal exports to maintain stability in the market.
“Of course, the dairy-to-beef scheme and enhanced AI (artificial insemination) breeding can reduce the number of calves needing to be exported, there will always be a requirement to access the markets on mainland Europe," he said.
“While Stena Line have said they will work with people affected, I think that unless another operator enters the market, it will be next to impossible to maintain the same level of exports.
“What this will mean is twofold: more animals remaining on the island and thereby increasing Ireland’s emissions and secondly, potential animal welfare issues as Irish farms are not designed to house this level of young animals.
“The minister for agriculture must be prepared to intervene if the market fails to respond appropriately. Too many livelihoods are at stake,” Kelleher added.
