IFA accuses meat factories of trying to damage live export trade

MEAT factories have been accused by farmers of trying to damage the live export trade, which has grown dramatically since the start of the year.

Some 185,761 cattle have been exported so far in 2009, with predictions that the total for the full year could rise to 250,000 head.

Meat Industry Ireland (MII) warned earlier this week that the increasing level of live exports could put processing plants and jobs at risk.