Critical meeting on live cattle trade to North

A MEETING in Ballinasloe this week will try to put in train moves to clear the way for live cattle movements from the Republic to the North to be resumed as soon as possible.

The meeting organised by Sinn Féin with the co-operation of the IFA will take place in Gullane’s Hotel this Friday night, July 11, (8.30) with Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister, Michelle O’Neill (SF), committed to attend.

Local Sinn Fein councillor, Dermot Connolly told the Farming Tribune that the ‘loss’ of the Northern buyers to marts in the West was a major blow to the trade.

“Since last backend the trade to the North has virtually ceased and this is not good news for West of Ireland farmers. We want to get people together to resolve any issues that have arisen,” said Cllr. Connolly.

He said that the official reason given for the absence of the Northern buyers was in relation to the issue of labelling but he said that other issues could be involed.

“Who benefits if the Northern buyers aren’t coming to marts in the South. It removes another element of competition from the trade and gives more control to the processors to control the price,” said Cllr. Connolly.

This week, Sinn Féin Agricultural Spokesman, Martin Ferris confirmed his attendance at the meeting along with the party’s three MEPs – Matt Carthy, Martina Anderson and Liadh Ní Riada.

Galway IFA Livestock Chairman, Michael Flynn, said that since last Autumn the live trade to Northern Irealnd had died a death for no good reason.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.