I thank the Cathaoirleach, Deputies and Senators. My name is Lorcan O’Dochartaigh. I have been appointed by the Irish Livestock Exporters' Association as its trade representative. I appreciate the opportunity to appear before this committee today to discuss the current state and future of Ireland’s live export sector, a sector that is both economically significant and, I would respectfully contend, vital to maintaining balance within our broader agricultural framework.
Just last year, livestock exporters generated up to €500 million for the Irish economy. At the outset, I acknowledge the continuing support of Bord Bia in the promotion and protection of Irish livestock interests abroad. Its efforts in market development and in maintaining Ireland’s reputation for quality have been invaluable, to say the least. That said, there remains scope, and indeed a strong need, for greater dedicated support to livestock exports, particularly in advocating for the protection of the industry coupled with consolidating new and emerging trade relationships. Encouragingly, new relationships have been forged and it is my firm hope that closer, more structured collaboration between industry and Bord Bia can and will continue.
In that context, live exporters have taken the initiative in forming an association and nominating a representative to engage directly with competent authorities, both nationally and internationally, as well as with TDs, MEPs, and other European stakeholder organisations, to help resolve issues that impact our trade. The aim is to work constructively in the interests of all Irish livestock exporters, supporting the development of new markets and the protection of existing ones. Livestock exporters make a substantial financial contribution to Bord Bia - approximately €750,000 per year - via the statutory levy. Therefore, it is felt reasonable to request that a modest percentage of that funding be reverted to Irish Livestock Exporters' Association to assist in covering the costs of this vital representative work. I am sure we can all agree that a strong, properly resourced livestock exporters' association is ultimately in the best interests of everyone involved in the sector.
All too often, livestock exporters have found themselves overlooked or ignored in discussions and negotiations with Government bodies and EU institutions. That simply must change. Livestock exporters, as those most directly engaged in the trade, must have a seat at the table during any negotiations or discussions, going forward. I also wish to place on record my appreciation for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Officials there operate under considerable pressure, frequently seeking to reconcile opposing and deeply entrenched viewpoints. The Department’s position, often being between competing imperatives, is not an easy one and I wish to recognise that publicly.
Turning to some of the practical realities facing livestock exporters, shipping availability remains a critical bottleneck. Dependence on roll-on, roll-off, RORO, vessels with limited capacity operating across two routes, coupled with unfavourable weather conditions, has created genuine uncertainty in trade continuity.
Recent smear campaigns aimed at the walk-on vessel trade, some of which are personal in nature, are a cause for concern and threaten the viability of continued success in that field too.
Added to that, the cost pressures facing road transport are stark. Under the current conditions, operating a livestock transport vehicle is now approximately €90 per hour purely in fuel costs, before accounting for labour, compliance or maintenance overheads. These are conditions that no enterprise can sustain indefinitely.
We also face growing difficulty in countering disinformation propagated by certain activist groups and NGOs. Much of what circulates publicly bears little resemblance to the factual record or the assurances built into Ireland’s animal welfare framework, which remains among the most comprehensive in Europe. These campaigns, while often well-intentioned on the surface, have in practice distorted perceptions of our trade and jeopardised the trust built by exporters over decades. It must be noted that Irish livestock exporters have been at the forefront of developing, implementing and maintaining the highest animal welfare procedures and standards among our EU counterparts.
Looking ahead, the most concerning policy development on the horizon is the anticipated amendment to Council Regulation 1/2005. As indicated, the reforms under consideration by the Commission, particularly regarding journey times, onboard feeding and stocking density, would, if implemented as drafted, effectively end Ireland’s capacity to participate in legitimate live export markets. This would not constitute reform so much as closure. It is, therefore, imperative that Ireland’s voice is clearly and coherently heard in the coming months, especially as we draw closer to assuming the European Presidency, and who is better placed to champion that cause than a robust, cohesive Irish Livestock Exporters Association?
Finally, I must draw the committee’s attention to a range of animal health threats emerging across our near neighbourhood, including epizootic haemorrhagic disease, lumpy skin disease and foot and mouth disease. These diseases are drawing uncomfortably close to our borders. Vigilance, contingency planning and strong co-ordination at both national and EU levels will be key to safeguarding Ireland’s health status and export continuity.
In summary, Ireland’s livestock export trade stands at a crossroads. The sector remains resilient, deeply committed to animal welfare and responsive to legitimate concerns. Yet it now faces compounded challenges - logistical, financial, reputational and regulatory - that threaten its viability. I urge that we continue to approach these issues, not as ideological debates, but as matters requiring evidence, balance and pragmatic co-ordination between the State, industry and our European partners.
