8th January, 2014

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmer’s Association has welcomed Bord Bia figures showing an increase in the value of food and drink exports to almost €10 billion, but warned that these figures are masking the impending difficulties facing the beef sector.

ICSA beef chairman Edmond Phelan said, “Despite the positive figures, realistically, it is highly unlikely that the strong performance of meat and livestock will be seen again unless we can solve the bull beef crisis. If beef producers can’t get their bulls processed and there are no export markets for them, the news will be far from positive going forward.”