ICMSA focused on Turkish live exports

A major promotional effort is needed to get Irish live cattle exported to Turkey, says Michael Guinan, chair of ICMSA’s livestock committee.

He said all state agencies — including the Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine and An Bord Bia — must put together a coordinated and huge effort into ensuring that Ireland secures as much as possible of the current 50,000-head tender.

“The Brexit decision has brought a level of uncertainty to the cattle trade that needs to be addressed, and securing a contract with Turkey to supply live cattle would be just the injection that the cattle trade needs as we head into the autumn,” said Mr Guinan.