Farmers rally to export cause

THE live trade boosts cattle prices by €80 per head, last Monday's IFA rally attended by 2,000 farmers was told in Ennis.

IFA Livestock Committee chairman John Bryan said proposals from EU Commissioner David Byrne on animal transport were unnecessary, restrictive and very damaging to the live export trade, were not scientifically based and must be rejected.

Mr Bryan said Teagasc in Grange, Co Meath, pioneered major scientific work which proves that the transport of animals over long distances under proper conditions has no adverse affect on their welfare. In addition, Teagasc proved significantly reducing the stocking densities level on trucks from their current level adds no animal welfare benefits.