Italian authorities have confirmed to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) that they are planning to lift additional testing restrictions.
Discussing the resolution, the minister commented: “This is welcome news and I am hopeful that this trade will resume under the conditions that existed prior to August.”
The additional post-import testing procedures were introduced following the export of calves from England to the Continent, which later proved to be TB-infected. The net effect was to make it less viable for farmers here to export weanlings to this important emerging market.
The minister added: “It was vital to secure this commitment from Italy so that our farmers are able to trade on a level playing field with their competitors from other countries.”
Notes to Editors:
- Exports of weanlings from here to Italy had been disrupted due to additional post-movement restrictions being introduced by the Italian authorities.
- DARD had provided assurances to the Italian authorities about the testing regime for bovine TB in Northern Ireland.
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