Butter exports elimination could dawn in 2013, warns dairy board

THE Irish Dairy Board (IDB) warned yesterday that phasing out export refunds by 2013 could result in the total elimination of butter exports outside the European Union.

It described butter as by far the most vulnerable product and stressed that it was vital that the world trade process respects the terms of the mid-term review programme.

IDB managing director Dr Noel Cawley said that the Luxembourg Agreement does not provide for a trading environment without the inclusion of export refunds.