We have always had a very good working relationship with our nearest neighbours, the UK. Our animal products have always been produced as expected – to excellent standard.

Brexit has and will continue to throw up many challenges, particularly throughout the coming weeks and months as the finer details become available.

Britain has adopted what is the norm for non-EU countries trading with EU member states. However, it is within the power of the UK ministry to lay down rules as they see fit when trading on the world stage.

Our Department of Agriculture must realise the consequences of the restrictions that are now in place since 1 January as a direct result of Brexit.

It is absolutely necessary for the governments both here and in the UK to resolve this complication and ensure the restoration of our historic trading regimes of animals between ourselves and the UK.

In excess of 6,000 pedigree animals are sold to the UK annually from Irish soil, with a further 60,000 commercial animals sold.

Returning animals to farms that are sold at Irish mart export facilities destined for the UK has clearly distorted the trade and gives rise to further complications in trade opportunities.

Both Ireland and the UK have benefited enormously from direct export on the day of sale.

It enticed UK breeders to purchase some of Ireland’s top genetics throughout the years.

This has rewarded Irish breeders with high selling prices, but also rewarded the UK purchasers who in turn received many high prices for the resulting progeny.

If we just look at last autumn we see the all-breed record Irish price of €52,000 was paid for Simmental bull Clonagh Lucky Explorer. Both the purchaser and underbidder were UK breeders.

For resulting progeny performance, we have to just look back to January when Wilodge Posh Spice sold for a world record Limousin price of 250,000gns in Carlisle. Her dam was the prolific show cow Milbrook Ginger Spice, bred in Co Meath.

It is our understanding that farmers in Northern Ireland share similar frustrations with animals returning from the UK.

We are asking that common sense prevail here so we can get on with meaningful and worthwhile trading without adding further frustration and complexity to our excellent relationship with our nearest neighbours.

A return of direct export on the day of sale once an export test has been undertaken in advance is the clear solution.

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