Live exports will be in the spotlight at Oireachtas agri committee meeting
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food will meet tomorrow (Wednesday, March 25) to examine "issues and challenges" relating to Ireland’s live export market.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, committee chair and TD for Cork North West, Aindrias Moynihan, said live exports are a "critical component of Ireland’s livestock industry".
According to Deputy Moynihan this provides "competition and market outlets for our farmers".
"Ireland's live exports have been on the rise, particularly in the cattle sector, with a surge seen last year but it is a sector which is subject to price volatility.
"Cattle and sheep make up our key exports with major markets being in the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Northern Ireland," the TD added.
Live exports
Deputy Moynihan said that among the topics the committee intends to look at tomorrow will be the "regulations and challenges" - this includes the new proposed EU enhanced animal welfare transport requirements, that Ireland's live export market is subject to.
"We will look for in-depth information from those attending on what supports are available to Irish farmers to aid them in exporting and what other measures they would like implemented in order to improve the current system," he added.
Live animal exports from Ireland were worth an estimated €480 million in 2025, up 40% when compared to the previous year.
According to Bord' Bia's latest Export Performance and Prospects Report 2025/2026, that cattle exports made up 80% of the total value at €390 million.
The overall total also included the export of live pigs to Northern Ireland worth €85 million, along with a small amount of sheep sent to mainland Europe.
The number of cattle exported in 2025 stood at around 380,000 head, which is similar to 2024 levels.
Rising beef prices and more limited supplies contributed to a strong increase in the value of all categories of cattle.
