§ Mr. Championasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the increase in the export of live animals to Eire from a total of £71,226 in January of this year to £973,282 in August, as shown in the Trade and Navigation Accounts; and how many of these animals were intended for re-export to the countries of Western Europe.
§ Mr. GodberThe figures for the export of live animals to Eire given in the Trade and Navigation Accounts covered exports from both Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Exports from Great Britain are confined to high quality breeding animals and during the period January to August numbered only 43 cattle and 163 sheep and pigs. Apart from Regulations under Diseases of Animals legislation, trade in livestock between Northern Ireland and Eire has been free since October, 1956, and my right hon. Friend cannot say what the reason is for this increase in exports nor how many animals were intended for re-export to Western Europe. According to the "Trade Statistics of Ireland", exports of fat cattle from the Irish Republic to the Continent declined during the period January-August, 1957.