Beef
Concerns have been raised that the closure of Algeria to cattle imports will put downward pressure on weanling prices for Irish farmers.
Exports of live animals "play a significant role in stimulating price competition" according to Minister Martin Heydon.
Dairy
The European Commission has indicated that it is up to the Irish government to take steps to secure capacity for the export of calves.
A group of animal activists have said they have issued a legal notice to Irish Ferries over the export of calves.
Irish calf exports are lawful, fully regulated and have been "misrepresented", the Irish Livestock Exporters Association said.
Agri-Business
An Irish MEP is set to push Brittany Ferries again on its decision to end its involvement in the live trade.
Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly is due to meet with senior management at Brittany Ferries in France next month.
Ciaran Mullooly said he will raise reland's live exports with the French president when he meets him as part of a group of MEPs.
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association has called for a dedicated taskforce to be set up to safeguard the future of live exports.
The Beef Plan Movement (BPM) has accused Brittany Ferries of discriminating against Ireland’s livestock sector.
Video
A meeting took place in Athlone this evening (Saturday, August 15) in response to the decision of...
Livestock exporters have been urged to work together and put on a united front to secure transport capacity for Irish cattle.
Live Exports
A meeting will take place this evening in the Athlone Springs Hotel in Co. Roscommon on the challenges in the live export sector.
The government needs to commit to a national plan to ensure resilience in the live export sector, an Offaly TD said.
MEP Barry Cowen has called on the government to ensure that the livestock transport services of Irish Ferries are retained.
Independent Ireland will host a public meeting in Athlone next week to discuss the "growing crisis facing Ireland’s livestock export sector".
Macra has warned that Brittany Ferries' decision on livestock transport from Ireland is "another blow to competition" for Irish farmers
Michael Fitzmaurice has said that he has requested a meeting with Brittany Ferries over its decision to cease carrying livestock.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said it was 'with regret' he was told of the decision by Brittany Ferries to end livestock transport.
Bord Bia has said that the decision by Brittany Ferries to cease carrying livestock is "disappointing", and could impact access to markets.
Ciaran Mullooly has said that he will raise the decision by Brittany Ferries to end livestock transport services with the European Commission.
An Irish MEP has said that Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon "must be prepared to step in" if transport capacity for livestock is lost.
The ICSA has called for clarity after Brittany Ferries decided to end its livestock transport services from Ireland to mainland Europe.
