ICSA warns ECB strategy putting beef and lamb exporters at risk

BEEF and lamb exporters are put at risk by the ECB’s euro currency strategy, warns the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association.

ICSA president Gabriel Gilmartin said the Bank of England’s quantitative easing strategy has seen the value of the euro going from 69p to 85p in five years. The farm group is calling for the ECB to revise its strategy to support the majority of member states.

Half of all Irish beef is exported to Britain, while Irish lamb producers are struggling to compete with British producers in markets such as France, Mr Gilmartin reminded the ICSA’s AGM in Dublin.