The need for having increased numbers of live exports to NI was stressed by ICOS at a meeting with Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney last week.
Chair of the ICOS marts committee Michael Spellman said that with the crucial autumn weanling trade only around the corner, there is a need to have northern buyers at mart rings in the Republic. He added that there is an “effective ban by Irish-owned meat plants in Northern Ireland on killing live cattle from the Republic of Ireland”.
“The maintenance of a vigorous live trade with Northern Ireland is a vital source of additional competition for livestock, which helps underpin the autumn trade in marts,” Spellman said.
ADVERTISEMENT
He stressed to Minister Coveney that fines being imposed by factories on Irish cattle being slaughtered in NI is making northern buyers think twice about buying at marts in the Republic.
“Farmers in Northern Ireland who bought cattle from the south last autumn are facing a major financial hit as they now go to sell these animals into the factories. It is a case of once bitten, twice shy and unless the irrational and unwarranted €150 fine is removed by the factories, Northern Ireland farmers won’t buy cattle from the south again this year,” Spellman said.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
The need for having increased numbers of live exports to NI was stressed by ICOS at a meeting with Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney last week.
Chair of the ICOS marts committee Michael Spellman said that with the crucial autumn weanling trade only around the corner, there is a need to have northern buyers at mart rings in the Republic. He added that there is an “effective ban by Irish-owned meat plants in Northern Ireland on killing live cattle from the Republic of Ireland”.
“The maintenance of a vigorous live trade with Northern Ireland is a vital source of additional competition for livestock, which helps underpin the autumn trade in marts,” Spellman said.
He stressed to Minister Coveney that fines being imposed by factories on Irish cattle being slaughtered in NI is making northern buyers think twice about buying at marts in the Republic.
“Farmers in Northern Ireland who bought cattle from the south last autumn are facing a major financial hit as they now go to sell these animals into the factories. It is a case of once bitten, twice shy and unless the irrational and unwarranted €150 fine is removed by the factories, Northern Ireland farmers won’t buy cattle from the south again this year,” Spellman said.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS