Cattle and sheep exporters have set up an association to represent their interests, called the Irish Livestock Exporters Association. Next, they want to meet the Minister for Agriculture and his senior officials, and also the representatives of dairy farmers.

“We want to meet Minister Creed and his officials as soon as possible to discuss the practical issues affecting exporters and the sector,” new chair Paul Clarke said.

“A vibrant live export sector is vital for all farmers. We have now fulfilled the request of Minister Creed, and Bord Bia, that exporters establish a single representative voice.”

Exporters also want to discuss next spring’s calf exports with the farm bodies.

“It’s in the interests of dairy farmers to make sure exports continue.”

While calves made up 64% of all cattle export numbers in 2018, they were just 20% of the total value of cattle exports, which was €110m.

Kevin Quinn is vice-chair of the new association, John Hallissey is secretary and Micheál Maxwell is treasurer. Another meeting will be held in Portlaoise in early August to discuss the group’s priorities.

Turkey

An established exporter is attempting to finalise a contract for export of a boatload of bulls to Turkey. The purchaser is in the private sector and the outstanding issues concern letters of credit and finance. Lower prices here mean that there are plenty of enquiries at present for Irish cattle. There have been just 2,860 cattle exported live to Turkey in 2019, with the ending of Government-led imports and a collapse in the value of lira curtailing imports.

The strength of lira to euro has improved marginally from 6.5 lira to one euro at the start of the year, to its present rate of 6.12 lira to one euro.