ICOS warns minister that suckler farming is under serious threat

The future of suckler farming is under serious threat, an ICOS delegation of mart managers and chairmen has told Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.

The co-op group was led by ICOS marts committee chairman Michael Spellman who emphasised the urgency of finding practical solutions to “unjustified obstructions” being imposed on the traditional trade between customers in the North and livestock marts in the Republic of Ireland.

There is an effective ban by Irish-owned meat plants in the North on killing live cattle from the Republic. ROI-controlled meat factories in the North either will not slaughter an animal, or they will impose a £150 (€190) fine per animal, if any farmer presents an animal for slaughter that was born in the Republic.