FARMERS have held crunch talks with ferry company bosses amid fears for their livelihoods and soaring prices for consumers.
The Donegal News reported warnings two weeks ago that Brittany Ferries’ decision to halt live animal exports from Ireland from next month could mean higher meat prices in shops.
Farmers also said at the time that one of the hottest Julys ever could push up prices of vegetable and potatoes.
Today, the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has revealed fruitful talks with Irish Ferries.
A spokesperson said: “An IFA delegation met Irish Ferries to discuss continued access to the common EU market for live animals.
“Following the decision of Brittany Ferries to no longer carry live animals, Irish Ferries is the only roll on-roll off carrier transporting animals to the EU continent.
“Irish Ferries confirmed to the IFA that will continue to offer this service for the foreseeable future.
“IFA said that there were also other challenges to live exports in the courts and in Brussels which they are working on.
“IFA applied to become a notice party in a Judicial Review taken by Ethical Farming Ireland against the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the High Court.
“This Judicial Review seeks to effectively stop Live Exports of animals from Ireland.
“IFA applied to be a notice party in this case to ensure the voice of Irish farmers was represented in the court. The High Court accepted IFA as a notice party.
“IFA have made significant submissions to the court. The case has now been referred for High Court mediation and IFA continue to participate in this as an official notice party.
“Separately, there are EU proposals on animal transport regulations which could make the export of animals from Ireland impractical.
“IFA has been lobbying at EU level on animal transport rules for decades through our permanent office in Brussels.
“We will continue to lobby the EU Commission and our MEPs to ensure that the EU transport rules continue to facilitate Ireland’s ability to export live animals under appropriate rules and regulations.”
The IFA recently claimed a “perfect storm” of conditions meant prices could soar because of the dry July, reduced yield, and the conflict with Iran by Donald Trump’s America.
The Association warned: “The situation is causing a perfect storm for increased costs.”
Irish Farmers’ Association Donegal chairperson Joe Sweeney.
Irish Farmers’ Association Donegal representative Joe Sweeney told the Donegal News: “It could affect prices in the supermarket and in the butcher shop for consumers.”
He added: “There are other shippers than Brittany Ferries, but one less provider means the other providers’ prices can go up.”