Live exports spark first farming policy election row
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent’s statement that live exports are an acceptable way for farmers to force beef factories to pay more for cattle price put him on a collision course with Tom Parlon of the Progressive Democrats.
Parlon pointed out that the Green Party’s stated policy is not to promote or support live exports of animals, and to reduce the dominance of the large meat factories and supermarkets and lobby for humane transport of animals, while seeking to phase out live exports over time. Parlon said Laois-Offaly Green Party candidate Ms Maria McKay has said at IFA meetings that she is against live exports.
