Farm groups commit to all-Ireland agenda

The two main farming groups on both sides of the Border have set a new agenda for farming after foot-and-mouth in Ireland.

After a meeting in Dublin today between the Irish Farmers’ Association and the Ulster Farmers’ Union, it was agreed that the new agenda would have a particular emphasis on the highest international standards and animal health status for the whole of Ireland.

An island of Ireland status would facilitate promotion of a distinct 'Ireland Origin' product irrespective of whether this product is produced North or South and which would be a mark of distinction and quality worldwide. Joint statement from Irish Farmers’ Association and the Ulster Farmers’ Union

UFU President Mr Douglas Rowe, told

ireland.com

today that both groups were making good progress in their discussions over the foot-and-mouth situation.

Both Mr Rowe and IFA president Mr Tom Parlon said in a statement that "an island of Ireland status would facilitate promotion of a distinct 'Ireland Origin' product irrespective of whether this product is produced North or South and which would be a mark of distinction and quality worldwide".

Also discussed today was the new sheep identification and traceability system and the impact it would have on both sides of the Border.

Both the IFA and the UFU agreed to set up a new North/South working committee in the livestock and sheep areas.

The meeting came in the wake of reports in today's Irish Timesthat illegal movements of animals across the Border between south Armagh and Co Louth have been continuing despite the massive security operation in place in the region.

The animal-smuggling is being undertaken by farmers to avoid detection of false claims for ewe premium payments and to prevent the slaughter of animals in exclusion zones, according to the report.

IFA President Mr Tom Parlon, reacted angrily to the reports, describing them as "speculative and inaccurate."

UFU deputy president Mr John Gilliland described the illegal movement of sheep as "pure recklessness" which highlighted the need for a single-Ireland approach.

"Quite clearly diseases like this do not recognise any international border. So it is imperative that we look at Ireland as a whole and use the water around us as a natural barrier," he said.