Turkey Approves the Import of Irish Cattle
While Irish beef farmers were fearing the affects of the rising herd numbers, agents from Turkey bought thousands of live cattle.
The cattle herd in Ireland had risen exponentially leaving an extra 80,000. This surplus threatened to lower prices in the fall, and despite the efforts of the Department of Agriculture, it didn’t seem like any exporting opportunities would arise.
Turkey has imported about 380,000 cattle in the last year, with about 1/3 imported from France. Due to a Bluetonge outbreak, authorities were forced to look elsewhere. As Ireland’s beef industry holds a disease-free status, and the supply was readily available the decision was simple.
According to the Irish Farmers Association, this will be a positive development that will put them in a better place to encourage competition in the industry.
