Bid to secure cattle trade route

A deal to secure the future of live cattle transportation to Europe is reported to be close.

P&O ferries are due to pull the plug on the Rosslare-to-Cherbourg route on December 16.

Representatives of the Irish Farmers Association and officials from the Department of Agriculture are today meeting a major French ferry company in Marseille which has expressed an interest in operating a replacement service.

National Livestock Committee chairman of the IFA, John Bryan, said Government support is necessary to clinch the deal.