Live Exports
Dail Éireann — 2026-03-19
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Martin Heydon (FG), Kildare South

As I said, there is ongoing engagement between exporters and officials in my Department, particularly in the veterinary health section. That was recognised in terms of the revised health certificates for Tunisia, which were secured on 18 February, and Algeria, to which we saw approximately 3,500 cattle exported in 2025 and 2,000 in 2024. That is all really important.
The Deputy is dead right that live exports are an important part of Ireland's livestock industry. I understand they play a role in the price in other ways as well, for example, stimulating price competition and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. That is why my Department facilitates this trade, and we continue to do so.
We continue to engage on all other types of trade. On 12 February, we managed to secure a revised veterinary health certificate for hides and skins to China, which is a most significant market for this commodity to Irish exporters. That was really important. In addition, we secured an interim trade certificate between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Ireland on 18 February, which allowed dairy exports to Canada to resume.
Every child is equally favoured, from exporters to all the others, and we continue to work with and engage with them, mindful of the pressures they are under and the important role they play.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-03-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:45+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-19