MEP: EU to investigate restrictions on cross-border livestock trade

The European Commission said it will investigate claims that farmers are facing anti-competitive restrictions on the cross-border trade of livestock.

Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness has told EU internal market commissioner Michel Barnier she is deeply concerned about the acute problem facing Irish farmers around the purchase, sale and disposal of cattle.

“Trade between Northern Ireland and the South is vital for both economies. Beef finishers in Northern Ireland buy cattle in the South for finishing and are vital around the sales rings in marts in the region. However, it has emerged that the beef from these animals is being downgraded with lower prices being paid for animals that do not meet the labelling designation of born, reared and slaughtered in the UK.”