3 JUNE 2016

ICSA suckler chairman Dermot Kelleher has called on Minister Creed to urgently sort out any remaining delays in getting weanlings exported to Turkey. “Several live exporters have expressed frustration that there is not enough urgency in the Department to get live cattle moving to Turkey or Egypt. While we understand the need to ensure that health and animal welfare is paramount, there seems to be problem after problem and delay after delay in finally getting new live export markets up and running.”

“The suckler farmer needs live exports urgently. The Italian market has been subdued over the past year or more and viable alternatives like Turkey must be delivered quickly. For store cattle, we need to prioritise Egypt where there is a strong demand for cattle as well.”

“Minister Creed has a great opportunity but a short window to deliver real and lasting benefits to the cattle sector by getting the live trade moving. It must be understood, however, that artificial delays and lack of urgency is financially devastating to live exporters and every effort must be made to overcome this.” 

ENDS