Minister slams meat importers

IRISH meat importers are taking advantage of financial difficulties in beef producing countries to import at low prices, thus displacing prime Irish beef on the home market, says Junior Agriculture Minister Liam Aylward.

He said food imports are running at 3 billion annually, compared to exports of 6 billion. Some 11,000 tonnes of beef are being imported every year.

“I am at a loss to understand the reasons for these imports. The quantities involved are too great to suggest that they are catering for a niche market.