Sir, - I was saddened and frankly surprised by the news that the Irish Government is endeavouring to help Egypt install abattoir equipment to deal with specified bovine offal, purely to perpetuate the trade in live cattle from Ireland.
The Irish Government is fully aware of the public's abhorrence of this trade. Why not instead put the funds into expanding abattoir capacity in Ireland and marketing carcase export? Surely then beef exports would not only be maintained but the Irish economy would benefit from all the ancillary trades such as petfood manufacture, tanning and the manufacture of fertiliser etc?
The continual backing of the live animal export trade will only further denigrate farmers as a whole - not a good idea in times of increasing consumer awareness. - Yours, etc.,
The Flat,
37 Silver Street,
Ashwell, nr Baldock,
Hertfordshire SG7 5QL.