Ireland failed yesterday to convince its EU partners to support a rule change which would allow farmers or others selling cattle to qualify for a slaughter premium following a 24-hour ownership of animals, writes Sean MacConnell.
The EU had wanted a three-month ownership period prior to sale before it would pay the £63 subsidy. The Beef Management Committee in Brussels yesterday rejected Ireland's call for a one-day retention period but agreed to cut a month off its original proposal.