With approximately 80,000 extra cattle expected to come onto the market later this year, the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, has said these extra cattle will be a “real challenge to manage”.
However, he said that the recent opening of the Turkish market to Irish live cattle exports is very significant.
“What the state can do [to manage these extra animals] is open new markets, be that in terms of live exports or processed meat.”
On the US market for Irish beef, the Minister said that if we can improve access for beef for grinding (mince) it will be a very significant development.
The Minister said that he has been in consultation with the meat plants in terms of this issue.
We’re an island of 5m people, we can produce food for 55m people, we need trade and access to new markets.
“I need to work with the industry in terms of live exports and new market opportunities. I’m very cognisant of the fact the difficulties we are facing and this is why we’re putting a lot of effort into the Turkish market.”
Last week, live cattle exports from Ireland received the green light from Turkey and it is understood the immediate requirement in Turkey would be for live exports in the form of younger stock, mainly bull weanlings up to 12 months of age and up to 300kg, from the suckler herd.
The cattle will be bought in Ireland at 250kg to allow for six weeks of lairage and shipping time, it is believed.
In 2015, EU exports of live cattle showed an increase of close to 60% year-on-year, mainly thanks to the re-opening of the Turkish market.
A total of 178,000 cattle were exported live from Ireland last year, worth approximately €135m, figures from Bord Bia show.
Lebanon and Turkey remained the two main destinations for European live bovines and Libya is third.