Concern over a new 40-day export residency rule for livestock going to Great Britain (GB) has been raised by mart managers and breed societies.
The post-Brexit rule set by UK authorities outlines that EU-origin cattle must be certified as having remained for 40 days on the holding of origin before import into GB.
Vendors are having to maintain animals on behalf of GB purchasers for 40 days post-sale.
While trade between the Republic and Northern Ireland is unaffected due to the NI Protocol, marts and breed societies say the rule is having “a major impact” on pedigree and commercial sales with fears it will “prevent” GB buyers attending Irish sales.
However, exports to Northern Ireland remain unchanged.
Roughly 20% to 30% of stock at the main breeds society sales on a normal year would go for export. The percentage of these cattle exported to mainland Britain varies greatly among breeds.
However, what is common across all is that these are generally many of the top prices of the sales and help set a standard overall.
What the societies had to say
Peadar Glennon, Irish Simmental Cattle Society
“The first thing I’d ask is where is the rule coming from, is it the UK or the EU? If this rule stays in place, it will have a serious impact on our premier sale trade, especially for the likes of the good bulls and heifers.
However, exports to Northern Ireland remain unchanged.
Roughly 20% to 30% of stock at the main breeds society sales on a normal year would go for export. The percentage of these cattle exported to mainland Britain varies greatly among breeds.
However, what is common across all is that these are generally many of the top prices of the sales and help set a standard overall.
What the societies had to say
Peadar Glennon, Irish Simmental Cattle Society
“The first thing I’d ask is where is the rule coming from, is it the UK or the EU? If this rule stays in place, it will have a serious impact on our premier sale trade, especially for the likes of the good bulls and heifers.