Political pressure is growing on Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney to break down percevied barriers that exist in the live export of cattle to Northern Ireland and Britain. Yesterday (Wednesday), Minister Coveney met with Northern Ireland’s agriculture minister Michelle O’Neill which resulted in the opening of dialogue on the issue.

The Irish Farmers Journal has learned that Minister Coveney will come back to Minister O’Neill early next week after getting the views of those attending the summit being held today (Thursday).

The absence of Northern buyers at marts in the midlands and west is striking. Marts in border regions are suffering as a result, with sales relying almost entirely on domestic demand.

The doors have once again been firmly closed on Irish cattle moving across the border for further feeding and slaughter. While Northern farmers are interested in sourcing cattle in the south, beef factories have reaffirmed the position that they will not slaughter Irish-born, Northern-finished cattle.

This week, an IFA delegation met with Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture, Michelle O’Neill, to discuss specification and labelling issues that are restricting live exports to the North. O’Neill committed to get directly involved in trying to resolve the issue both at processor and retailer levels. IFA president Eddie Downey described the meeting as being very constructive in dealing with specification and labelling issues.

Mart managers are becoming increasingly anxious over the lack of Northern activity. Martin Walsh, General Manager, Aurivo Marts said: “The lack of Northern buyer activity is a tremendous loss.” He added that he feels the current barriers in place are anti-competitive and he is very anxious for the trade to resume ahead of autumn.

Carnaross mart manager John Tevlin said that there is some Northern activity for weanlings, but little for older cattle. He added that Northern buyers are currently driving the dairy trade, but he has serious concerns for the autumn trade if the current difficulties on slaughtering Irish cattle in the North continue.