Paddy Gernon Presentation (Irish Cattle Exporters Association)
The livestock export business is one of the longest export trades in the history of
this state.
Until the mid 1960s the trade was mainly from Dublin to Holyhead, Birkenhead,
Preston, Silloth and Glasgow.
About this time the first consignment was exported to Egypt on a contract for
10,000 young bulls. This was the forerunner for the North African trade which
continued for a good many years.
The Roll On – Roll Off to France started with Irish Ferries in the mid 1980’s,
giving a service to Le Harve. Later on Irish Ferries and Stena Line accepted
Livestock to Pembroke and Fishguard respectively.
P&O started a service about 1990 and could carry nine units with livestock. They
also carried Irish livestock from Dover to Calais which were shipped from
Rosslare by Stena Line and Irish Ferries.
In mid June 1997 due to pressure from animal rights groups P&O discontinued
the carriage of Irish livestock.
An action was then taken by a group of exporters to seek an injunction against
P&O but was dismissed by the High Court. This was further appealed to the
Supreme Court and was overturned pending a full hearing which was later lost.
Two other shipping companies then attempted to cater for the trade from
Ringaskiddy Port and both failed.
P&O sold their business to Celtic Link; they bought a bigger ship and catered for
20 units on three sailings weekly.
Celtic Link has now sold their business to Stena Line this month.
Since 1997 Stena Line have consistently refused to carry livestock on their
routes Rosslare to Fishguard and Dublin to Holyhead.
Irish Ferries stopped carrying livestock on their ships since the Foot and Mouth
disease outbreak in 2001.
My point for all this is that we were forced to go to Larne - Cairnryan and
livestock for England had to travel for up to 10 hours down through England.
This month, following pressure from the IFA and the ICMSA, Stena Line have
agreed to resume a service for livestock from Rosslare to Fishguard at a cost of
€900 for a 16.5 meter truck. This price is about €550 more expensive than the
Belfast to Cairnryan sailing.
The most convenient route is Dublin to Holyhead where livestock can disembark
for north or south England.
Both Irish Ferries and Stena Line refuse to consider this route resulting in
animals having to endure up to ten hours longer travel time. This trade is mainly
for in-calf heifers and my reason for seeking the opening of the Dublin –Holyhead
route is on welfare grounds.
Since Stena Line re-opened the Rosslare – Fishguard route the animals are
arriving in excellent condition but is only of benefit to Welsh importers.