A number of live exporters sat down with Animal Health Ireland (AHI) on Thursday for discussions on a path forward in dealing with their concerns around the health of Irish weanlings.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Roscommon-based live exporter Derek Maxwell said: “We had a positive meeting with AHI. They listened to our concerns and agreed to work with us in bringing all stakeholders together for a larger meeting involving everybody next week.

"At the moment, we have no choice but to go ahead with our planned action. We have to change the way we are producing weanlings, with dosing and vaccination becoming common practice on suckler farms,” he said.

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It's understood that the industry-wide meeting will take place at the end of next week. AHI has confirmed that it is currently contacting stakeholders to invite them to next week’s meeting.

Boycott

The majority of Ireland's largest exporters are planning to boycott marts next week on the back of increased concerns around the health of Irish weanlings.

Commenting after the meeting, a spokesperson for AHI said: “As has been our focus for over a decade, AHI is committed to working with farmers, vets and the entire agriculture industry to promote the highest standards of health and wellbeing across our livestock sector.

"Healthy animals are the foundation of our multi-billion euro and world-famous agri-food industry."