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The number of cattle imported from the Republic of Ireland for direct slaughter at processing plants in NI is currently at its highest level since 2015.
Last week, 387 Irish cattle were imported for slaughter at NI plants, bringing the year to date total to 11,060. For the same period last year, imports of cattle from south of the border stood at 5,129.
While import numbers are more than double last year, they are still well down on the 22,815 cattle imported from January to October 2015.
Most imported Irish cattle generally end up in wholesale and foodservice sectors, either here or in continental Europe.
Britain
While Irish imports are up, the trade in live slaughter-fit cattle from NI to Britain has collapsed this year.
To the end of October, only 269 head have been sent across, down on the 2,156 animals exported over the same period last year. Movement of cattle for direct slaughter in the other direction stands at 3,466 for the year to date, down from 3,836 last year.
Sheep
Exports of NI sheep to processing plants south of the border stands at 320,770 for the year to date, down on the 357,282 exported in the same period last year.
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