The Department of Agriculture is working on resuming live exports to Northern Ireland, according Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon.

However, he has warned that opening up the border, which has been closed due to bluetongue, is "not without its risks".

Speaking in front of the Oireachtas agriculture committee on Wednesday, the Minister said that he understands the pressure the current cross-border movement restrictions are causing.

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Minister Heydon said that recent reports that the border would be open in the next number of days are "premature".

"It's not that we're not trying every effort. We're doing everything we can, I understand the pressure it has on people. This is a big decision, people really need to want this and need to go into this with their eyes wide open and it's not without its risks."

This comes as exporters, mart managers and farmers call for the ban to be lifted.

Restrictions

Marts in the west cancelled breeding heifer sales, exporters are losing a significant chunk of their weekly business and farmers in Northern Ireland are being left high and dry for stock as a result of the restrictions.

Two-thirds of Sligo exporter Ciarán Burke's business is currently at a standstill.

He’s had to let an employee go and is fielding a number of calls daily from NI farmers looking for stock.

Meanwhile, the mart trade, particularly in the west, is feeling the hit, with some marts canceling breeding heifer sales due to the lack of NI buyers.