A new ban on exporting live animals came into law today (Monday 20 May) as the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act received Royal Assent, capitalising on a post-Brexit freedoms and bolstering the UK’s position as a world leader in animal welfare standards.

The legislation delivers on a key manifesto commitment to ban the export of live animals including cattle, sheep, and pigs for slaughter and fattening from Great Britain.

It is only possible now the UK has left the European Union, and will stop animals enduring stress, exhaustion and injury on long and unnecessary export journeys.

---

See also:

• New legislation banning live exports from Britain moves to Lords

• Government’s live export ban ‘bad news’ for the home market

• King’s Speech: Government commits to end live animal exports

---

The Act will ensure that animals are slaughtered domestically in high welfare UK slaughterhouses, reinforcing our position as a nation of animal lovers and a world leader on animal welfare, boosting the value of British meat and helping to grow the economy.

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: “We are proud to have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world.

“Our new Act makes use of post-Brexit freedoms to deliver one of our manifesto commitments and strengthen these standards even further by preventing the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening, which we know causes animals unnecessary stress and injury.”

Gov.uk

 

The latest livestock products data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that last quarter, Australia had the highest lamb slaughter on record at 6,935,700 head. 

The data, analysed by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), also shows that the January-March quarter also broke production records for lamb at 167,263 tonnes, up 8% on last quarter and 48% last year.

MLA’s Senior Market Information Analyst, Erin Lukey, said that the higher levels of production and recorded carcase weights are reflective of conditions that occurred towards the end of last year.

“Across the board we saw carcase weights for lamb lift 5% quarter-to quarter to 24kg, which equates to the five-year average. This return is after the three-year lows recorded last quarter,” Ms Lukey said.

“Lamb carcase weights lifted across all states according to the ABS. This is partly attributable to the end of season turnoff of older lambs, and improved weather conditions recorded in the latter months of 2023, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria.”

Victoria had its second highest lamb slaughter on record, only following last quarter’s record. It also had its highest lamb production for the second year in a row, while New South Wales recorded an 18% increase in slaughter and 25% jump in production.

Western Australia also had its second highest lamb production quarter on record, as well as its second highest quarter for slaughter.

National mutton slaughter was also at its highest since December 2019 at 2,784,000 head. However, carcase weights on average across the country fell 5% to 24.9kg, with the biggest drop felt in Western Australia where weights eased 9% to 24.5kg.

The value of sheepmeat slaughtered increased 41% quarter-to quarter to $1.257 billion, which was the largest since December 2021. This equates to $129 /head per animal, which was the largest since Q2 2023.

 

Meat & Livestock Australia

April 2024 was a historic milestone in beef exports for Brazil having shipped 236,842 tons, generating revenues totaling US$ 1.043 billion, points out Agrilink. Leading the list was China, trailed closely by the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong, which experienced a substantial 38.9% surge in imports compared to March 2024, driven by increased demand for beef offal.

Year-to-date statistics reveal a robust performance in Brazilian beef exports, with shipments reaching 835,328 tons, reflecting a 37,2% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Revenue also witnessed a substantial rise of 29.5%, from US$ 2.8 billion to US$ 3.68 billion. Fresh meat accounted for the lion’s share with 88% of total overseas sales, followed by offal at 7.09%, and processed meat at 3.7%.

Antônio Jorge Camardelli, Executive President of the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (Abiec), highlighted the continued robust demand from China, which consistently imports an average of 95 thousand tons per month, reaffirming its status as a key partner for Brazil. However, Camardelli also underlined the prominence of other markets contributing to the year’s increased export volumes.

Throughout 2024, the United Arab Emirates showed remarkable growth in beef purchases, tripling its acquisitions compared to 2023, with shipments totaling 64,787 tons in the first four months of the year, with revenues of US$ 298.2 million. Similarly, exports to Algeria amounted to 20,287 tons, and US$ 92.7 million in revenue, while shipments to the Philippines stood at 19,411 tons, and US$ 68.03 million. Brazilian farmers and meat processors are confident of further burgeoning market opportunities in coming months.

MercoPress

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices – Week Ending 12 May 2024

The latest update confirms that Irish cattle trade & prices May 2024 remain steady, with supplies continuing to rise.

Throughput

During the week ending 12 May 2024, DAFM-approved plants processed 30,743 cattle, pushing total throughput for the year to 660,140 head. That figure represents a 3% increase (18,633 head) compared with the same period in 2023, when 641,507 cattle were processed. Prime cattle accounted for 470,841 head in the first 19 weeks of 2024, up 3% or 11,950 head year-on-year. Meanwhile, cow throughput reached 160,852 head, a sharp 10% increase (+19,053 head), underlining strong demand for cull cows.

Prices

Prime cattle supplies have stabilised, and processors reflected this with steady but firmer base quotes last week. Current offers stand at €5.15/kg for steers and €5.20/kg for heifers. Young bulls remain steady, with €5.30–5.40/kg available for R grading animals under 24 months.

The cow trade continues to perform well despite increased throughput. O grading cows averaged €4.60/kg, while top-quality R grading cows secured €4.70–€4.80/kg. Prices for P-grade cows varied widely depending on weight and quality. For the week ending 12 May 2024, the average R3 steer price increased by 1c to €5.22/kg, just 6c below the same week in 2023 (€5.28/kg). Reported prices exclude VAT but include bonuses such as in-spec and breed premiums.

EU & UK Prices

Across Europe, R3 young bull prices averaged €5.01/kg for week ending 12 May 2024, identical to the same week last year. In the UK, tighter cattle supplies and strong demand supported firm returns. The average R3 steer price rose 4c to €5.72/kg, equivalent to £4.91/kg.

With supply increases and steady demand, the Irish cattle trade & prices May 2024 report highlights continued resilience in both domestic and export markets.

Bord Bia 

source: John Campbell | BBC News N.I

Faarea Masud | BBC News

Beef

Beef exports lifted 46% from April 2023 to 113,431 tonnes. This is the largest beef export volume for April since 2015, and the second highest on record.

Exports lifted in most major exports markets, with the United States remaining the largest beef market with exports rising 127% from last year to 27,257 tonnes.

Large increases were also seen in several smaller markets across South-East Asia and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Exports to Thailand more than doubled to 2,141 tonnes, while exports to Saudi Arabia lifted 235% to 1,602 tonnes.

The only major market where exports dipped was for China, where volumes eased 11% compared to last year to 14,888 tonnes. Between considerable increases in exports to smaller markets and a slight fall in exports to China, Australia’s beef exports are now the most diversified they’ve been since 2016; exports outside of Australia’s top four markets have made up 25% of the total in 2024 so far, compared to 17% for the first four months of 2023 and 15% in 2022.

Sheepmeat

Lamb exports rose 41% from April last year to 31,318 tonnes, while mutton exports rose 20% to 18,913 tonnes. This is the largest April export figure for lamb, mutton, and overall sheepmeat exports on record, following very strong export totals in February and March.

The United States remained the largest market for Australian lamb exports, while mutton exports to MENA lifted 144% from last year to 5,853 tonnes, displacing China as our biggest mutton market for the month.

Growth in mutton export volumes was observed across the entire MENA region, but especially in the Gulf States; exports to Saudi Arabia rose 153% to 1,956 tonnes, exports to the United Arab Emirates lifted 28% to 804 tonnes and exports to Qatar lifted a massive 501% to 765 tonnes.

Market access update

On Friday last week, Brazil declared itself free of foot-and-mouth disease ‘without vaccination’. This is a designation that would grant Brazil market access to several key beef markets, if the disease-free status is accepted by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and importing countries.

Over the past decade Brazil has become the world’s largest beef exporter by volume, accounting for around 25% of global trade in 2023. Its exports are heavily geared towards China, where it has market access, and its disease status prevents exports into Japan and South Korea.

Fortunately for Australian exporters, Australia’s suite of free trade agreements (FTA) gives our beef a comparative advantage in global markets regardless of technical market access. In 2026, Australia’s FTA with South Korea will give us a 35% tariff advantage on most favoured nation (MFN) (baseline) trading terms, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), of which both Australia and Japan are signatories, will give Australia an 18% tariff advantage over MFN trading terms.

 

MLA

The latest figures show that Irish sheep trade prices April 2024 remain firm as supplies tighten. Major processors increased base quotes for hoggets this week. Offers ranged from €9.20/kg to €9.40/kg, including the Quality Assurance (QA) bonus. In addition, small numbers of spring lambs entered Irish processing plants, with €10/kg plus QA bonus available.

The deadweight trade continues to strengthen. Tighter supplies of suitable hoggets are driving demand, while spring lambs have been slower to reach the market. As a result, competition remains strong across all processing plants.

The supply situation is not limited to Ireland. In the UK, hogget throughput has fallen 5% behind 2023 levels. Reports suggest many ewe lambs originally held back for breeding are now being processed instead. Meanwhile, EU forecasts show a 2% decline in throughput for the first half of 2024. This represents a reduction of 580,000 head in the European sheep kill. Consequently, traders expect tighter supplies until the 2024 lamb crop arrives in significant numbers.

Prices

For the week ending 28 April 2024, Irish reported prices for lamb increased to €9.43/kg. That figure marks a 23c rise compared with the previous week. In the same week of 2023, prices averaged €7.32/kg.

The UK trade also performed well. In mainland GB, spring lamb returned €9.92/kg, up 8c. In Northern Ireland, prices improved to €9.60/kg, a rise of 27c. Southern Hemisphere products remain more affordable. Australian lamb stood at €4.14/kg, while New Zealand recorded €3.42/kg, keeping them competitive in EU markets even with shipping costs.

Throughput

DAFM-approved Irish plants processed 34,712 sheep for the week ending 28 April 2024. That was slightly lower than the same week last year. Year-to-date throughput reached 840,150 head, down 10% from 2023. Hogget kill accounted for 750,662 head, which is 8% behind last year. Ewe and ram throughput fell by 10% to 81,026 head, while 7,327 spring lambs have been processed so far this season.

Overall, tight supplies and firm demand are keeping Irish sheep trade prices April 2024 at strong levels, with limited availability shaping both domestic and export markets.

 

Bord Bia

Also:

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices w/e April 28th 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices – April 2024 Market Update

This week’s figures show continued strength in Irish cattle trade & prices April 2024, supported by rising throughput and firm product prices.

Processor quotes improved for steers to €5.15–€5.20/kg, while heifers fetched €5.20–€5.25/kg. Young bulls remained steady at €5.30–€5.40/kg for R grading animals under 24 months. Cow trade also held up well — O grading cows at €4.60/kg, with R grading top-quality cows fetching €4.70–€4.80/kg.**

Throughput is slightly higher than last year**, with 33,164 cattle processed during the week ending April 28, 2024, bringing year-to-date throughput to 596,422 head—a 2.8% increase over the same period in 2023. Prime cattle numbers remain strong, tallying 423,905 head, up 2.7% YoY. Cow throughput rose significantly by 12.5%, totaling 146,167 head.

European & UK Live Trade Prices

On R3 carcass pricing, Ireland’s average was €5.21/kg, slightly behind the previous year’s €5.27/kg. Across Europe, R3 young bulls held steady at €5.02/kg, while Great Britain showed modest gains with R3 steer prices rising to €5.70/kg (approx. £4.89/kg).

 

Bord Bia

 

Also:

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices w/e April 28th 2024