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There is plenty of capacity in the EU veal industry to absorb all Irish calves that are suitable was the opening message from chair James Hill at an introductory meeting of the Irish Livestock Stakeholders Association (ILSA).
"The dairy industry in the EU is shrinking, holding its own at best," he said. "This will help us have markets for our calves. Veal producers in Europe require stock year in year out."
He warned against giving veal producers the impression that we have problems here and will give calves away at a low price.
Hill said that there is an urgent need for an exporter association. "Experts have to be ethical and welfare friendly, particularly for calves."
The aim of Monday's meeting in Arklow was to set up a committee to run the new association.
Protester
The meeting was attended by representatives from Teagasc, the Department of Agriculture, ICOS, Glanbia, livestock exporters and the farm organisations.
In his introduction, Hill said he was led to believe that RTÉ is expected to show a video on Prime Time that would question care of some dairy calves.
Also, part of the meeting was delayed after organisers said that a protester opposed to live exports had joined the meeting room and was declining to leave.
The crowd left the room and reassembled after the protester had left.
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