Farmers have expressed frustration about a lack of co-operation from a small number of Department of Agriculture officials in the loading of a live export ship earlier this week, IFA president Tim Cullinan has said.

The Sarah M departed from Waterford on Thursday with 1,300 bullocks and bulls destined for Algeria.

Farmers contacted the IFA to explain there were significant delays in scanning and processing cards, with some alleging that cards were mixed up and lost in the process.

Crisis

Cullinan said it was totally unacceptable in the current crisis, with farmers taking severe price cuts and finding it extremely difficult to sell cattle.

“Farmers and exporters need the full co-operation of everybody in the current crisis,” he said.

The IFA said there was no place for bureaucracy that would hold the live export trade up.

Read more

First cattle boat to Algeria sails