Mandatory beef labelling regulation impacts on live exports to Britain

Live cattle exports to Britain are being hit by a technical labelling issue in respect of beef originating in Ireland and finished in Britain.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney outlined the difficulties in a pre-Christmas Dáil debate on the live trade.

Mandatory labelling rules prevent final retailers from describing any beef products derived from animals born in Ireland but exported live for finishing and processing in Britain as either British or Irish.