Given the traditional movement of beef stock in this country, due to the variants of land type and enterprises they’re on, within beef production, this rule [four-movement rule] inhibits the volume of stock that can be freely traded through our marts.

Marts are becoming the preferred method by beef farmers to trade their factory-fit stock.

[colored_box color="green"]In recent times, designated fat stock sales have become more and more the choice by beef farmers to trade their stock, due to the transparent manner of a public auction.[/colored_box]

The mart offers the farmer a clear market value of their stock, where they can exercise their decision to trade or not.

4-movement rule

The four-movement rule has no scientific basis, nor does it add any value to the carcass of the animal, or any products derived from the carcass.

[colored_box color="green"]The consumer is not informed that the beef products that they are purchasing are from a beef animal with a maximum of three movements under the four-movement rule.[/colored_box]

I request all farming organisations to act in unison in calling for the immediate removal of this arbitrary rule.

From Martin Mc Garry, farmer, Co. Sligo.

Background