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The IFA has called on Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to personally intervene and resolve issues around the delay of the export of cattle from Ireland to Algeria.
A large number of cattle were due to be exported to Africa aboard a boat that remains docked off the coast of Waterford due to concerns over parasite control on the livestock.
“It’s unbelievable that we have a boat docked in Waterford ready to bring 1,200 Irish cattle to Algeria, and it’s now likely to leave empty and instead go to France to collect cattle,” IFA president Tim Cullinan said.
Many farmers feel that the live export trade is vital for competition and prices in the beef market and are gravely concerned the issues will impact future trade with the exporting company.
Exporter
The Department met with the exporter on Saturday, at which time the processes and protocols necessary to enable the export to proceed were agreed, the spokesperson said.
“The exporter reverted on Monday morning indicating that the export would not proceed on this coming Friday, as it was not possible for him to have sufficient quantity of compliant animals for export assembled by then.
“DAFM will work with all exporters in the expectation that shipments of livestock to Algeria will take place in the future,” the spokesperson said.
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