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18/08/2014
New Beef Regulations To Open Markets For NI Farmers
Northern Ireland beef processors will be able to label meat imported from the Republican of Ireland 'Irish', in a bid to increase 'single origin' labeling for the British and European market, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has said.
Currently, beef imported from the Republic and slaughtered in Northern Ireland cannot be labelled with a single country of origin and is known as 'nomad cattle'. But under new regulations announced today by Rural Minister Michelle O'Neill, the term 'Irish' will now be able to be used to label such cattle as being from a single country or origin. It is thought this could open up new markets for farmers and processors in Northern Ireland.
Minister O'Neill said: "I am of the strong view that the term 'nomad cattle' has no place on this island and following discussions with industry stakeholders and Minister Coveney in the south, I am hopeful that this issue can be resolved.
"This has been a problem for some time because cattle imported from the south and slaughtered in the north cannot be labelled with a single country of origin. Beef from these animals has a lower market value than cattle which are born, reared and slaughtered here, due to the reluctance of retailers to source dual origin cattle.
"The ability to label beef derived from such cattle as 'Irish' will hopefully open new market opportunities with British retailers for local processors. It should also assist the long standing tradition of trading cattle across the island of Ireland, particularly store cattle coming from the west of Ireland for finishing and slaughter in the north."
Store cattle imported from the south for finishing and slaughter in the north will be labelled "Born in Ireland; Reared in Ireland/UK; Slaughtered in UK". Beef from finished cattle imported for immediate slaughter must be labelled "Born in Ireland; Reared in Ireland; Slaughtered in UK". Both categories of beef can now carry the label "Irish" as a voluntary term.
(IT/JP)
Currently, beef imported from the Republic and slaughtered in Northern Ireland cannot be labelled with a single country of origin and is known as 'nomad cattle'. But under new regulations announced today by Rural Minister Michelle O'Neill, the term 'Irish' will now be able to be used to label such cattle as being from a single country or origin. It is thought this could open up new markets for farmers and processors in Northern Ireland.
Minister O'Neill said: "I am of the strong view that the term 'nomad cattle' has no place on this island and following discussions with industry stakeholders and Minister Coveney in the south, I am hopeful that this issue can be resolved.
"This has been a problem for some time because cattle imported from the south and slaughtered in the north cannot be labelled with a single country of origin. Beef from these animals has a lower market value than cattle which are born, reared and slaughtered here, due to the reluctance of retailers to source dual origin cattle.
"The ability to label beef derived from such cattle as 'Irish' will hopefully open new market opportunities with British retailers for local processors. It should also assist the long standing tradition of trading cattle across the island of Ireland, particularly store cattle coming from the west of Ireland for finishing and slaughter in the north."
Store cattle imported from the south for finishing and slaughter in the north will be labelled "Born in Ireland; Reared in Ireland/UK; Slaughtered in UK". Beef from finished cattle imported for immediate slaughter must be labelled "Born in Ireland; Reared in Ireland; Slaughtered in UK". Both categories of beef can now carry the label "Irish" as a voluntary term.
(IT/JP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Largely dry with clear spells at first, a few showers in the north and west. Becoming cloudier with rain spreading east through the early hours. Becoming windy, westerly gales developing along the north coast. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
