Rules must change to prevent slaughter of calves
06 October 2006
Jim Allister MEP believes that the rules governing the live export of cattle must change to prevent farmers slaughtering calves at birth this winter. Jim Allister made the comments at the same time as Italian buyers were in Northern Ireland looking at the potential of purchasing animals for export to Italy.
Jim Allister commented, “Over the summer months calves were being exported out of Northern Ireland into other EU Member States. The major importers buying calves are now turning their backs on Northern Ireland as a result of the rules and paperwork associated with exports. I believe that unless DARD amend some of the current rules that exist for live exports farmers will have no option but to resume slaughtering young claves at birth. At a time when there is a shortage of beef in Europe and the beef ban has been lifted, farmers should not be forced into a position where they have to slaughter calves at birth.
“I welcome the news that Italian buyers were here in Northern Ireland this week and hope that they can do business with the Northern Ireland industry in the very near future. I do however fear that the rules currently being imposed by DARD governing the export of animals will prevent any trade being established with more lucrative markets. It is vital that DARD change the current rules to ensure that there is less red tape associated with live animal exports but ensuring that EU guidelines can be met. I believe that this is already happening in most other Member States throughout Europe.”
