Irish livestock export figures rocket

LIVE exports for the first nine months of 2006, at 198,344, were over 45% ahead of the same period last year.

Total exports in 2005 amounted to 185,267, which represented an increase of over 40% on the preceding year.

Minister Mary Coughlan told Kildare South Fianna Fáil TD Sean Ó Fearghaíl in a reply to a Dáil question that live exports continue to be an important outlet for cattle, providing an element of competition with the beef trade.