ICOS notes the recent DAFM announcement regarding the temporary closure of a calf assembly centre in Cherbourg.

The issues behind the closure are serious in nature and must be investigated thoroughly and resolved immediately. In the meantime, however, the loss of such a facility in France will cause disruption to the trade at an important time of year for the movement of calves. ICOS is working closely with DAFM, marts and other stakeholders to seek a speedy resolution to the issue, but farmers need to be conscious of a reduced export capacity in the short-term. We would ask farmers to work closely with their mart to ensure that they can get their calves sold. This may necessitate holding onto calves for slightly longer than normal.