Live export record ‘must be defended’

Brussels: Ireland’s record in the live export trade must be rigorously defended at today’s meeting of the EU Parliament’s agriculture and rural development committee, said ICMSA president Pat O’Rourke.

He said the live export trade will be absolutely essential in the post- decoupling era to the viability of Irish farms and in particular, in minimising the income losses for calf and weanling producers.

“The proposals from the EU Commission, if agreed, will effectively end this country’s live export trade with very negative consequences for Irish farmers,” he said.