Over 2,000 factory-weight cattle will be loaded on a specialist livestock carrier boat next week for export to Turkey.
The Atlantic M has sailed from the port of Algericas in Spain and is scheduled to dock here at the weekend. On arrival, the boat will be inspected by Department of Agriculture veterinary officials for suitability to carry livestock on this route. It was previously inspected and approved by the Department to carry cattle.
After approval, the boat will start loading with cattle and fodder early next week and then depart. The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the contract involved will pay €2.20/kg liveweight for bulls.
The development will be welcomed by cattle farmers. They have seen pressure on factory prices for fit cattle over the past week following wet weather. In addition, the beef exporting factories have warned of the consequences of the weakening of sterling following the Brexit vote in June.
There remains high demand in Turkey for livestock, with beef prices there higher than in Ireland.
Welcomed
Farm organisations have welcomed the development. The IFA, who played a pivotal role in the negotiations, said the Turkish market is highly lucrative.
IFA president Joe Healy said the live export of cattle to Turkey is a very positive development for the livestock sector and comes after a long, hard campaign by IFA to open the market. He said the first shipment will take place next week and hopefully will be followed by many future shipments.
"Turkey is a major opportunity for the Irish livestock sector and has an import requirement for up to 400,000 head of live cattle annually. In 2015 Turkey imported 380,000 head of cattle, the majority from South America and up to 120,000 from France," Healy said.
Beef chair with the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) Edmond Phelan has welcomed the development but called on the authorities to ensure the cattle are sent without any disruption.
"I'm calling on Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and his Department to make sure this boat is passed immediately to help stop the blatant opportunism by the meat industry to use the recent inclement weather to savagely reduce prices," Phelan said.
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Beef hopes pinned on Turkey
Over 2,000 factory-weight cattle will be loaded on a specialist livestock carrier boat next week for export to Turkey.
The Atlantic M has sailed from the port of Algericas in Spain and is scheduled to dock here at the weekend. On arrival, the boat will be inspected by Department of Agriculture veterinary officials for suitability to carry livestock on this route. It was previously inspected and approved by the Department to carry cattle.
After approval, the boat will start loading with cattle and fodder early next week and then depart. The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the contract involved will pay €2.20/kg liveweight for bulls.
The development will be welcomed by cattle farmers. They have seen pressure on factory prices for fit cattle over the past week following wet weather. In addition, the beef exporting factories have warned of the consequences of the weakening of sterling following the Brexit vote in June.
There remains high demand in Turkey for livestock, with beef prices there higher than in Ireland.
Welcomed
Farm organisations have welcomed the development. The IFA, who played a pivotal role in the negotiations, said the Turkish market is highly lucrative.
IFA president Joe Healy said the live export of cattle to Turkey is a very positive development for the livestock sector and comes after a long, hard campaign by IFA to open the market. He said the first shipment will take place next week and hopefully will be followed by many future shipments.
"Turkey is a major opportunity for the Irish livestock sector and has an import requirement for up to 400,000 head of live cattle annually. In 2015 Turkey imported 380,000 head of cattle, the majority from South America and up to 120,000 from France," Healy said.
Beef chair with the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) Edmond Phelan has welcomed the development but called on the authorities to ensure the cattle are sent without any disruption.
"I'm calling on Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and his Department to make sure this boat is passed immediately to help stop the blatant opportunism by the meat industry to use the recent inclement weather to savagely reduce prices," Phelan said.
Read more
Beef hopes pinned on Turkey
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