Border rules killing sheep trade

THE severity of the regulations restricting the movement of sheep between North and South is killing off a traditionally strong sheep trade, particularly in breeding stock, it was claimed yesterday.

Wicklow Fine Gael TD Andrew Doyle said an all-island animal health regime would ease the rigidity of the rules.

“The prohibitive nature of existing controls means that southern farmers are losing out because of the reduction in the numbers of northern traders venturing south to purchase breeding stock,” he said.