Strong live export trade ‘essential’ for Irish agriculture

Strong live export trade ‘essential’ for Irish agriculture

The live export trade is very important to Ireland’s €3 billion beef and livestock sector, the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has stressed.

Commenting amid ongoing government formation talks between Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, IFA president Tim Cullinan said:

“A strong live export trade is essential for Irish agriculture in terms of price competition and alternative market outlets.

As an island nation in the EU, Ireland must insist that we have full access to all markets for our livestock.

Cullinan stressed that Irish live exports operate to the highest animal welfare standards in the world.

He noted that the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, “have made it clear that Ireland operates to the highest standards – not just EU standards, but EU-plus standards”.

“Minister Creed has consistently pointed out that the Department of Agriculture inspections ensure that ‘the highest animal welfare standards are strictly complied with during transport of live cattle’,” Cullinan said.

IFA National Livestock Committee chairman Brendan Golden said the Government must guarantee Irish farmers full market access for all live animal exports.

The Government has “very detailed and specific research” from Teagasc Grange which proves that the highest welfare standards exist under the current live export regulations, Golden said.

Written By Sylvester Ryan, Agrland