The main obstacles that have prevented cattle from the Republic of Ireland from moving north for finishing and/or slaughter seem to have finally been overcome.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that an application made to DARD for the use of an ‘‘Irish beef’’ label on cattle either born, reared and slaughtered in the Republic of Ireland, or born in the Republic and imported into Northern Ireland, will be approved in the next few days.

The application was made under the EU voluntary beef labelling scheme at the beginning of last week. The process then requires DARD to seek comment from counterparts in the Republic of Ireland. The Irish Farmers Journal understands that no objections were raised by southern authorities, leaving only the formality of the label being approved by senior figures in DARD.