NI sheep exports unlikely – Union


10 December 2001



NI sheep exports unlikely – Union

By Adrienne Francis


MOST farmers in Northern Ireland are unlikely to export sheep – despite a resumption in cross-border trade after foot-and-mouth, say industry leaders.


Sheep imports and exports between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland officially resumed on Monday (10 December).


Northern Ireland agriculture minister Brid Rodgers said that the resumption of exports heralded another step on the road to recovery.


But the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) said scrapie monitoring rules were likely to prevent many Northern Ireland sheep breeders from exporting.


Breeding sheep for export or import must have been monitored for scrapie for three years, according to rules to control the disease.


UFU cattle and sheep secretary Ian Stevenson said: “Only a handful of pedigree sheep breeders have been monitored for scrapie.”


Only 107 out of 10,500 breeding sheep flocks had been tested, said Mr Stevenson, mainly because doing so was voluntary until last May.


Mr Stevenson said the rule was likely to have a greater effect next season when there are more sheep available for export.


The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said eligible exporters must give 72 hours notice of any intended shipments.


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