Farmers praise export refund hikes

THE European Commission's decision to increase beef export refunds to Egypt was yesterday welcomed by farming organisations.

The increase was announced yesterday by Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh. An increase in the advance payments of cattle premia from 60% to 80% was also announced.

IFA president John Dillon said the increase in the export refunds will effectively kick-start Irish beef exports to Egypt. "The factories must reflect this important improvement in the market by responding with an immediate increase in cattle prices, which could defuse the dispute between livestock farmers and the meat factories."