Irish beef exports recovered ground this year that was lost in the aftermath of the BSE crisis of early 1996, according to An Bord Bia.

But the beef industry has still not fully shaken off the effects of "mad cow" fears, particularly among Continental consumers.

Figures to be released by the Bord in the new year will show that cattle supplies to export meat plants increased by 9 per cent to 1.65 million head last year.

The recovery of beef consumption in Britain, coupled with the strength of sterling, which made Irish exports more competitive, made it a good year for Irish beef sales to Britain. But exports to Continental EU customers remained difficult as consumers continued to show a strong preference for domestically-produced beef.

The "nationalisation" of beef markets on the Continent was most notable in France and Germany, said the Bord's chief executive, Mr Michael Duffy.

Exports to Italy and Holland, however, performed well, and the figures are expected to confirm a slight increase in exports to international markets this year.

It was a bad year for live exports, however, which were particularly badly hit by the BSE scares and declined by 70 per cent to 55,000 head.

However, live exports to Northern Ireland almost tripled, to 28,000 head.

Sheep supplies to export meat plants are estimated to have fallen by 18 per cent in 1997 to 3.06 million head, while lamb throughput at 2.73 million head was 14 per cent below the 1996 level.

Sheepmeat exports suffered a corresponding fall to total just over 50,000 tonnes.

Pig supplies to export plants increased by almost seven per cent to 2.74 million head, but prices were down due to disappointing demand in most European markets and an increase in supplies in major markets such as Britain.