Anger is rife among exporters, mart managers and farmers over the continued ban on live export of breeding stock and store cattle to Northern Ireland.
The ban, a result of bluetongue movement restrictions, is forcing marts in the west to cancel breeding heifer sales, causing exporters to lose a significant chunk of their weekly business and leaving farmers in Northern Ireland high and dry for stock.
Business for Sligo-based exporter Ciarán Burke has been significantly disrupted since the cross-border movement restrictions came into play almost six weeks ago.
Two thirds of Burke’s work is currently at a standstill; he’s had to let an employee go and is fielding a number of calls daily from NI farmers looking for stock.
Stephen Hannon, manager of Aurivo Marts, said that a recent breeding heifer sale in Balla Mart had to be postponed, as they are “so dependent on buyers from Northern Ireland”.
Brian Crawford in Ballybofey and Stranorlar Mart, who sends 5,000 cattle to NI annually, said: “It has a big effect on us, because we’re closest to the border.”
The frustration comes as two new bluetongue cases were confirmed in Wicklow and Louth this week, bringing total confirmed cases in the Republic of Ireland to 15.
Kerry-based vet Jarlath Sutton has urged farmers to vaccinate for bluetongue, saying that the benefits far outweigh the risks.
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