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There has been calls for the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to intervene after reports Kepak suspended lamb processing on Monday morning due to difficulties surrounding the Clean Livestock Policy (CLP) for sheep.
ICSA sheep chairman John Brooks said: “ICSA has spent the last number of weeks highlighting that this policy cannot work in its current format.
“Today’s shutdown by Kepak unfortunately proves this point.”
Brooks said that at this point nothing short of an intervention from Minister Michael Creed will suffice.
“This is an absolute disaster for our important sheep export sector. We can’t blame Kepak because it is clear that what has been going on in recent days is total gridlock which no business could sustain.
“This move by Kepak must be taken seriously and CLP will have to be modified without delay,” he said.
Last week there was reports of sheep being rejected for slaughter with the Department stepping up its implementation of the clean livestock policy.
Kepak Athleague is to hold information evenings on the policy on Monday and Tuesday at 6.30pm.
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