Department of Agriculture officials have proposed increasing the minimum age at which calves can be exported to other EU markets.

Calf exporters are objecting, on the basis that it is higher than the minimum set under EU veterinary rules and applied by other member states, and that it would reduce exports of Irish calves.

EU rules require a calf to be 14 days old before being trucked on journeys over eight hours. In recent weeks, Department officials proposed to exporters that a minimum of 28 days apply for Irish calves.

Dutch veal producers are major buyers of Irish calves

This and other issues were discussed in a recent video meeting between livestock exporters and Department officials, in which Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue participated.

Exporters pointed out that this would be impractical, given that veal farms in the Netherlands buy in calves before they reach 35 days. Dutch veal producers are major buyers of Irish calves. Exporters also warned that it would cause welfare problems on some dairy farms here if calf numbers backed up.

Exporters say that the Department is now examining increasing the minimum age to 18 days. It also still examining the option of flying calves to export markets in Holland and Spain.