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The Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has told the IFA that he will reject new EU proposals on live exports, which could see the assembly period for cattle for export cut from 29 days to 14.
A statement from the IFA has said that the Minister confirmed to the association that he and his officials will continue to reject any attempts by the EU to place further restrictions on the live export trade.
The IFA has said that Minister Creed made it clear to them that he is totally committed to the live export trade.
Proposed restrictions
Currently, an exporter purchasing a weanling must export that animal before a 29 day assembly period has expired. The 29 day period gives exporters ample time to assemble sufficient stock numbers to fill a livestock truck and get that truck on a ferry.
However, as the Irish Farmers Journal reported on Wednesday, under the new proposals the assembly period would be cut to 14 days.
Therefore, after more than 14 days in the exporter's yard an animal would no longer be eligible for export.
IFA president Joe Healy said that as an island nation, we already have additional challenges in getting cattle to the continent.
He highlighted how on the continent a shorter assembly period might work, where export consignments can be delivered immediately along motorway networks to another member state.
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