Live exporters have this week made the first moves to set up a representative body to promote their interests.
John Hallissey of JH Livestock Exports emailed over 20 other exporters suggesting a meeting be held and an organisation formally set up. The call is likely to filter out to other exporters around the country over coming days.
This follows the further request this week by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed at a meeting with exporters for them to set up a body that would improve interaction with the wide range of organisations they deal with, ranging from regulatory authorities to commercial transporters.
Spokesperson
Exporters who discussed the issue after this week’s meeting concluded that a spokesperson should be appointed and it was proposed that Co Kildare vet John Lalor be asked to perform this role. He is in private practice and has also worked extensively around the world in this sector.
John Hallissey told the Irish Farmers Journal that a representative body could deal with the varying interests of firms exporting different types of stock to EU and non-EU markets. There are many different issues to be dealt with from transport and lairages to animal health certification, he said.
“For example, the majority of farmers vaccinate against IBR, yet there is no effective way for us to identify vaccinated weanlings when purchasing stock for export. It needs to be co-ordinated. I would be prepared to pay a premium for vaccinated animals. IBR is one of the biggest silent killers of cattle on Irish farms and a national vaccination programme needs to be introduced.”
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Any representative body for exporters will have to tackle the sector’s public relations image. Exporters invest in high-standard yards, sheds and specialist lorries and they export livestock under strict EU veterinary rules, yet are regularly branded as law breakers by extreme animal welfare protesters.
“It is important to us as exporters that our livestock arrive at their destination in prime condition. We don’t get repeat business if the stock aren’t perfect and certainly don’t get paid for stock that are not in perfect health and condition.”
At Thursday’s meeting with the Minister and his officials, Hallissey proposed that 20c, a portion of the €7.97 in levies the exporters pay to the Department of Agriculture on each adult bovine exported, be used instead to fund a representative body.
“After all we are the people who promote and sell Irish livestock on export markets," he said,
Read more
Live exporters should consider joint body – Minister Creed
12 calf trucks held up in Ireland due to French lairage problems - exporter
Live exporters have this week made the first moves to set up a representative body to promote their interests.
John Hallissey of JH Livestock Exports emailed over 20 other exporters suggesting a meeting be held and an organisation formally set up. The call is likely to filter out to other exporters around the country over coming days.
This follows the further request this week by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed at a meeting with exporters for them to set up a body that would improve interaction with the wide range of organisations they deal with, ranging from regulatory authorities to commercial transporters.
Spokesperson
Exporters who discussed the issue after this week’s meeting concluded that a spokesperson should be appointed and it was proposed that Co Kildare vet John Lalor be asked to perform this role. He is in private practice and has also worked extensively around the world in this sector.
John Hallissey told the Irish Farmers Journal that a representative body could deal with the varying interests of firms exporting different types of stock to EU and non-EU markets. There are many different issues to be dealt with from transport and lairages to animal health certification, he said.
“For example, the majority of farmers vaccinate against IBR, yet there is no effective way for us to identify vaccinated weanlings when purchasing stock for export. It needs to be co-ordinated. I would be prepared to pay a premium for vaccinated animals. IBR is one of the biggest silent killers of cattle on Irish farms and a national vaccination programme needs to be introduced.”
Image
Any representative body for exporters will have to tackle the sector’s public relations image. Exporters invest in high-standard yards, sheds and specialist lorries and they export livestock under strict EU veterinary rules, yet are regularly branded as law breakers by extreme animal welfare protesters.
“It is important to us as exporters that our livestock arrive at their destination in prime condition. We don’t get repeat business if the stock aren’t perfect and certainly don’t get paid for stock that are not in perfect health and condition.”
At Thursday’s meeting with the Minister and his officials, Hallissey proposed that 20c, a portion of the €7.97 in levies the exporters pay to the Department of Agriculture on each adult bovine exported, be used instead to fund a representative body.
“After all we are the people who promote and sell Irish livestock on export markets," he said,
Read more
Live exporters should consider joint body – Minister Creed
12 calf trucks held up in Ireland due to French lairage problems - exporter
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