“Without Autumn trade, the future of suckler farming in the Republic is under serious threat” – Spellman

At a meeting this morning with Minister Coveney, an ICOS delegation of mart managers and chairmen led by Michael Spellman, chairman of the ICOS Marts Committee, emphasised to the Minister the urgency of finding practical solutions to unjustified obstructions being imposed on the traditional trade between Northern Ireland customers and livestock marts in the Republic of Ireland.

There is an effective ban by Irish owned meat plants in Northern Ireland on killing live cattle from the Republic of Ireland.  Irish (ROI) controlled meat factories in Northern Ireland either will not slaughter an animal, or they will impose a £150 fine per animal,  if any farmer presents an animal for slaughter that was born in the Republic of Ireland.

“The maintenance of a vigorous live trade with Northern Ireland is a vital source of additional competition for livestock which helps underpin the autumn trade in marts,” said Michael Spellman.

“Farmers in Northern Ireland who bought cattle from the south last Autumn are facing a major financial hit as they now go to sell these animals into the factories.   It is a case of ‘once bitten, twice shy’ and unless the irrational and unwarranted €150 fine is removed by the factories, Northern Ireland farmers won’t buy cattle from the south again this year.

ICOS Meeting with Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney T.D. Pictured with Minister Simon Coveney were (front left), Michael Spellman, Chairman ICOS Mart Committee, Seamus O' Donohue, Chief Executive ICOS, (back), Martin Walsh, General Manager Aurivo Livestock Marts, Ray Doyle Secretary Livestock Marts Committee, Liam Williams Chairman Clare Mart and Martin McNamara General Manager Clare Mart. Picture Colm Mahady / Fennells NO REPRO FEE APPLIES / FREE TO USE
ICOS Meeting with Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney T.D. Pictured with Minister Simon Coveney (centre) were left, Michael Spellman, Chairman ICOS Marts Committee and Seamus O’Donohoe, Chief Executive ICOS. Picture Colm Mahady/Fennells. NO REPRO FEE APPLIES / FREE TO USE

“The immediate priority is the restoration of the traditional Autumn trade.  Without this trade it is not an exaggeration to state that the future of suckling enterprises in the Republic is under serious threat,”  he stated.

Michael Spellman said that the marts delegation had emphasised to the Minister the importance of immediately engaging  with his counterpart in Northern Ireland, Minister Michelle O’Neill with a view to removing the obstructions to this trade.

ICOS (the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society) represents co-operatives and organisations in Ireland – including the Irish dairy processing co-operatives and livestock marts – whose associated businesses have a combined turnover in the region of €14 billion, with some 150,000 individual members, employing 12,000 people in Ireland, and a further 24,000 people overseas. Outside of ICOS member co-ops, it is estimated that over 3 million Irish people are members of at least one co-operative.

Ends.

Information:  Tim Kinsella, 086 813 7512