Farmers seek meeting after export decision

Farm leaders are seeking an urgent meeting with Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh following a court ruling yesterday relating to live animal exports.

The Supreme Court ruling overturned a 1997 order compelling the shipping company Pandoro to carry livestock from Ireland to the continent.

It means that Irish farmers may be left with no way to export live cattle out of the country.

The landmark ruling could cost millions of euro.

Mary Ann Bartlett of the Compassion in World Farming group has said farmers need to face up to the fact that the live export trade will be phased out.