Farmers seek delay in lifting of EU ban on British beef

The Irish Cattle and Sheepfarmers Association has called for the postponement of plans to lift an EU ban on British beef imposed at the height of the BSE crisis.

The ban prevented British cattle over the age of 30 months from entering the food chain.

The ICSA has claimed that Irish meat factories are already reducing the prices they offer for cattle on the basis that more British beef will be available before the end of the year.

It claimed a postponement until early next year would cause less harm to farmers both in Ireland and the UK.