The Irish Farmers' Association has demanded that the Government move quickly to lift the ban by the shipping company Pandoro on the export of live cattle to the EU.
Speaking at the Dublin Horse Show in the RDS yesterday, the IFA president, Mr John Donnelly, said time was running out for the Government, which had promised to restore the live trade. "It must deliver on its pre-election promise now before the main bulk of cattle come on the market from September onwards."
The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, who was also attending the show, said she shared the IFA's anxiety but the matter was not a simple one. She said the matter had been discussed at Cabinet and in recent weeks the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and herself had also met the IFA.
Mr Donnelly came to the show with a list of demands for the Government and the EU aimed at restoring a vibrant and stable cattle trade for the State's 100,000 livestock farmers this autumn.
This will involve the sale of almost one million animals worth £650 million between now and December. The key issue was market access problems.
On carcass beef, he said, it was essential that the eight-county ban on Irish cattle imposed by the Russians be lifted and a new protocol negotiated with them.
On the live export side, boats to Egypt and Libya must resume sailing before the major cattle disposals begin next month and it was clear that direct Government action was needed.
"The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, must go to Egypt and if necessary to Tripoli to have this vital trade resumed."
It was also the Minister's responsibility that ferry access to EU markets be restored immediately. The previous government had made a deal with Pandoro in March, after farmers blockaded ports over the issue, that the company would carry all legitimate goods off the island. "That promise must be delivered on."
Mr Donnelly said farmers will not blockade Pandoro facilities in protest. The matter was now one for the Government and the EU.
Mr Raymond O'Malley, chairman of IFA's national livestock committee, said farmers will need 90p per lb for their beef this autumn. They were currently receiving 82p to 84p per lb, a price much lower than they should be receiving, even allowing for the recent cut in export refunds.
He said as most beef exports outside the EU were paid for in dollars and the dollar rate had fallen in favour of Ireland, much more should be passed back to the producer.
The "Celtic Tiger" relied on exports and it was very important that Ireland exported goods to all areas in the world where markets were available, especially the EU, he added.