Beef ban and Fokker close hurt NI exports

A combination of the ban on beef exports, and the fallout resulting from the collapse of the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker contributed to a major slowdown in the growth of exports from Northern Ireland for the year to the end of March 1997. The figures were announced by Northern Ireland Economy Minister Mr Adam Ingram. He revealed that total sales outside Northern Ireland grew by just under 4 per cent to £6 billion sterling, partly due to strong sales in the British market, which accounted for more than £3 billion sterling. Sales into the Republic rose by 6 per cent to £717 million. Mr Ingram said sales into mainland Europe remained largely static.