The Department of Agriculture has allayed farmer and industry fears that a temporary ban on the live export of cattle from France will interfere with Irish live exports.
A spokesperson for the Department told the Irish Farmers Journal that the live trade of cattle may currently continue through France once it complies with new French requirements.
The statement comes following a decision by the French agricultural ministry on 17 October to ban all live exports of cattle and shows, fairs and exhibitions, etc, from 18 October to 4 November.
The Department said: “The French authorities informed the Department on Friday afternoon, 17 October 2025, that due to the outbreaks of lumpy skin disease in the south of France, certain control posts have been temporarily suspended starting [on] Saturday 18 October 2025.”
Movement
It added: “In relation to the intracommunity movement of cattle from Ireland to other EU member states, the French authorities have also advised that in principle, that transits of cattle via France remain authorised, provided that no unloading takes place in the protection or surveillance zones.
"Identification details of the affected premises and maps of the restricted zones have been communicated to all relevant stakeholders. These restrictions will last until at least Tuesday 4 November 2025 and possibly longer”.
This means that cattle can continue to avail of lairage facilities in France, with Irish exporters using facilities outside of the surveillance area, while the transit of animals through France to destinations across Europe will not, under current rules, be curtailed.
Export figures
Live exports of cattle have been performing positively in 2025, with export levels running at over 325,000 head, up 2.2% on the corresponding period in 2024.
The latest figures published by Bord Bia show exports in the most recent week recorded at 2,852 head.
This includes 1,094 exported to Spain and 707 to Italy, with such cattle transiting through France.
Read more
France introduces temporary ban on live exports of cattle
The Department of Agriculture has allayed farmer and industry fears that a temporary ban on the live export of cattle from France will interfere with Irish live exports.
A spokesperson for the Department told the Irish Farmers Journal that the live trade of cattle may currently continue through France once it complies with new French requirements.
The statement comes following a decision by the French agricultural ministry on 17 October to ban all live exports of cattle and shows, fairs and exhibitions, etc, from 18 October to 4 November.
The Department said: “The French authorities informed the Department on Friday afternoon, 17 October 2025, that due to the outbreaks of lumpy skin disease in the south of France, certain control posts have been temporarily suspended starting [on] Saturday 18 October 2025.”
Movement
It added: “In relation to the intracommunity movement of cattle from Ireland to other EU member states, the French authorities have also advised that in principle, that transits of cattle via France remain authorised, provided that no unloading takes place in the protection or surveillance zones.
"Identification details of the affected premises and maps of the restricted zones have been communicated to all relevant stakeholders. These restrictions will last until at least Tuesday 4 November 2025 and possibly longer”.
This means that cattle can continue to avail of lairage facilities in France, with Irish exporters using facilities outside of the surveillance area, while the transit of animals through France to destinations across Europe will not, under current rules, be curtailed.
Export figures
Live exports of cattle have been performing positively in 2025, with export levels running at over 325,000 head, up 2.2% on the corresponding period in 2024.
The latest figures published by Bord Bia show exports in the most recent week recorded at 2,852 head.
This includes 1,094 exported to Spain and 707 to Italy, with such cattle transiting through France.
Read more
France introduces temporary ban on live exports of cattle
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