Michael Fitzmaurice: Defends Department's Support for Live Exports

Right, just to follow up on Deputy Ard's question, could ye forward, I'm not asking for it now, could ye forward 23, 24 and 25, what was recouped from farmers and penalties, what was sent back to Europe, and in some of the schemes there is a penalty, where does that money go, just to clarify those, that... We'll have to do that on a scheme by scheme base, so we'll share that detail with you. Yeah, we just send it an overall thing to me, right? Yep. And the other one, I would ask a question from you, say you're putting money into marketing that's good, we would hear from the shipping side of it, the live trade, not the dead trade, that they don't be getting too much... I won't call them junkers, but too much opportunity to go out and be able to... Basically, their argument would be that the relevant bodies, be it Bordea or be it the departments, that they don't get the same... looking after for the live trade, looking at new markets, that they have to do all this themselves. What is the situation in that? So, well, in terms of the support, look, obviously the live exports is something that is really important. I would say the level of time and resources and support from my department through our veterinary teams of live exports is phenomenal. You and me have had chats on late on Saturday nights and early on Sunday mornings about boats going and supports. So, like, there is no shortage of support for the sector in making sure that we have... And this is the big part where the state supports live exports is, through my officials in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, making sure that the health certificates and the negotiations of the market access with the receiving countries has been agreed. Yeah, just to be clear, I am not in any way... I do know that the veterinary side of it has helped in all sorts of people. I am not questioning that. Yeah, but just say live exports to answer your original question. I am not questioning the health certs side of it, even though I'd like some of them to be done a bit quicker with the blue tongue side. You are well aware of what I am on about. But what I am on about is the marketing of new markets. That is what I am on about. So I am going to answer your second question in a minute, but just on the point around you would like things to be done quicker on blue tongue and I know there are videos going around in social media and there are people with a lot of things to say. I don't know. Well, I am. I take the opportunity now here on the record of the House. With every country, a third country, our European neighbour that we deal with around health certificates, it is up to the receiving country to set their standards. And that's what we have to work with. So, yes, exporters can be frustrated by that, but like kicking us for the country, we have to make sure you get the access so that the live animals that they want to export and they get paid for doing can reach where it is. They set the conditions, and then we have to go with that. Otherwise, we don't get the access. So, like, you know, they should be careful what they complain about because if they don't want the access, if they don't want to meet the conditions, they don't get the access. But just to say, the trade-in and export of live animals is a private commercial activity. So, absolutely, my department treat it like any other export commodity that needs export certification or veterinary certification. We provide that. The live export of animals is done to a really high standard. We in Ireland supersede the European standard in terms of animal welfare and scrutiny to protect the reputation of our industry here, which is so important as an island nation. But that activity in terms of the exporters is private commercial activity. My understanding is if you're a factory, you are brought out by certain bodies in this country promoting to go to Germany and to different places. The meat factories are brought, but the exporters of live animals aren't brought. How come that? Both of them are private operators. So, well, in terms of the relationships the exporters would have with the receiving countries and the nations, like if, and, you know, in terms of trade missions, I'd imagine private companies travel on their own steam in terms of, you know, if I'm going on a trade mission somewhere, the invitation is there if companies want to join that and they will do if they have a market opportunity in that space and go out on their own volition or send their own staff on their own volition. But in terms of live exporters, you know, like our support, which is really extensive for my department, is through our veterinary team and they are well supported and the most important thing for them to be able to carry out that private commercial activity is that they have the access that they require and also, the same could be said of the private meat factories or the food and drink companies or whiskey distilleries or anybody. Our job in my department is twofold and the job with Borbia is the secondary part. My job is making sure that our department have the market access for that produce that has the raw ingredients that was produced by our farmers and gives the best possible return back to them. Once we gain market access and that can be a slow, tedious process, I think again in beef access in Korea took years. I was in Korea three times on missions. The first two times was to gain market access. The third time was with Borbia promoting that it was there and promoting the projects there and building the relationships and supporting Irish businesses to build the relationships that are there and providing a platform. Sometimes what Borbia might do is have a stand at key trade fairs. So the Cial food fair in France that happens every second year. The Anuga food fair in Cologne that happens every alternative year. Borbia will invest and use its resources to have a very significant stand there that then our food and drink companies can use as a base. Just one last thing. One last thing. Would you think it's preemptive, I've seen some media reports today that the northern trade would be off and then shortly. in your opinion is that preemptive you know it's basically I think it's premature. You think it's premature? Yeah. Okay. I think it's premature. It's not that we're not trying every effort but I think it's I was told before I came in here it's been reported that it could be open within two or three days I don't see that happening and that's and we're doing everything we can I understand the pressure there is on people this is a big decision and people really need to want this need to go into it with their eyes wide open if we're doing it and it's not without its risk. Okay.