Taoiseach signs bovine semen memo of understanding with China

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has signed a memo of understanding with China with regard to the export of bovine semen from Ireland.

It marked the culmination of a number of years work by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Irish Embassy in Beijing and the Chinese Government.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith said the signing will hopefully lead to the opening of a new and rapidly growing market for Irish bovine genetics.

Meanwhile, a history of the Limousin cattle breed in Ireland, written by Donal O’Brien, an agricultural science and masters graduate who also runs the family farm in Tallow, Co Waterford, has just been published.

The first animals of the Limousin breed to be imported into Ireland arrived in 1971 and numbers in have grown in the 37 years since. The breed is native to south-western France, but in true testament to the adaptability of the breed, Limousin cattle are now found in more than 70 countries worldwide.

Minister Smith, who launched the book at Kinnity Castle in Co Offaly, said the foresight of those involved in the initial imports of Limousin animals to Ireland has been rewarded in the tremendous uptake of the breed on this island.

“The Limousin is now one of Ireland’s most popular beef breeds; in 2007, 27% of all beef calves registered had Limousin cross dams. The herdbook consists of over 18,000 pedigree females, with over 8,000 animals being registered on an annual basis.

“I know that the breed also plays an important role as terminal beef sire for the dairy herd; in 2007 almost 100,000 dairy cows were mated to Limousin sires,” he said.

Mr Smith said the Society is approved by his Department to operate the herdbook for the Limousin breed in Ireland.

He complimented Dr Noel Gowen and his staff at the society’s office in Mitchelstown in Co Cork, for providing an excellent service to the 2,200 strong membership of the Irish Limousin Cattle Society.

Mr Smith said he was aware that the Limousin Society has already exported more than 30 animals following the recent Beef Expo event in Kilkenny.

He said he was very pleased that similar channels of trade have been opened with many of the other pedigree breed societies that actively participated in Beef Expo.