Plans to fill a second boat for Algeria with heavy bulls and bullocks next Friday 15 May have been postponed.

The decision was taken on Monday by the exporters, Roundwood Park Livestock and Premium Livestock, because they were unable to meet, in time, some conditions of the export health certificate and its protocols.

The boat is now anchored off Waterford, as the exporters attempt to find a solution. Beef finishers now fear the boat could sail away empty, while prices for heavy animals aged over 24 months remain low.

A key problem for the exporter was having cattle treated with a wormer

IFA president Tim Cullinan has called on Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to get directly involved. A key problem for the exporter was having cattle treated with a wormer, while still on farm of origin, in advance of loading on the boat, with this required to be certified by each farmer’s vet.

This aims to allow any withdrawal period expire before the cattle arrive at their destination. It is specified in a support certificate to the main export cert for Algeria.

The parties met last Saturday to discuss this and other operational issues

For the exporters’ first boat, the cattle were given the required wormer while being weighed for loading and the withdrawal period was completed at point of destination.

But the Department of Agriculture notified the exporters that for subsequent loads, the treatment would have to be applied in advance. The parties met last Saturday to discuss this and other operational issues.

However, the exporters said on Monday that they did not have time to comply before the planned loading on Friday. Adding to their practical difficulties, they claim some farmers don’t commit to selling until the last minute, while they look for the best prices for their stock. If loaded, this will be just the second boat filled by the exporters.

The live export trade provides vital competition to factories in the market for cattle

“A spokesman for the Minister has told the media that all operational matters are resolved – I am concerned that this is not the case,” Tim Cullinan said.

“The live export trade provides vital competition to factories in the market for cattle. It cannot be put at risk due to operational issues.”