Cattle can no longer be exported directly to the UK from marts.
The mart managers of Ireland and a number of Irish cattle breed societies have joined forces to seek change for the new export rules from Ireland to Britain.
As of 1 January, animals can no longer be exported straight to Britain following a sale in Ireland, without returning from the mart and completing a 40-day residence in an Irish herd number.
This week, the Mart Managers Association of Ireland penned a letter to Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue stating the matter needed urgent attention.
In the letter, association chairperson Eimear McGuinness tells of the serious concern mart mangers and breed societies have in relation to their UK-based customers and the important role they play in the trade of livestock throughout Ireland.
However, exports to Northern Ireland remain unchanged.
Roughly 20% to 30% of stock at the main breeds society sales on a normal year would go for export. The percentage of these cattle exported to mainland Britain varies greatly among breeds.
However, what is common across all is that these are generally many of the top prices of the sales and help set a standard overall.
What the societies had to say
Peadar Glennon, Irish Simmental Cattle Society
“The first thing I’d ask is where is the rule coming from, is it the UK or the EU? If this rule stays in place, it will have a serious impact on our premier sale trade, especially for the likes of the good bulls and heifers.
However, exports to Northern Ireland remain unchanged.
Roughly 20% to 30% of stock at the main breeds society sales on a normal year would go for export. The percentage of these cattle exported to mainland Britain varies greatly among breeds.
However, what is common across all is that these are generally many of the top prices of the sales and help set a standard overall.
What the societies had to say
Peadar Glennon, Irish Simmental Cattle Society
“The first thing I’d ask is where is the rule coming from, is it the UK or the EU? If this rule stays in place, it will have a serious impact on our premier sale trade, especially for the likes of the good bulls and heifers.