North set to resume animal exports to EU

Northern Ireland is to resume agriculture exports to Europe after confirmation that a cull of sheep in South Armagh will go ahead, Northern Agriculture Minister Ms Bríd Rodgers said.

Ms Bríd Rodgers

Speaking after talks with farmers' leaders in Newry, Co Down, today, Ms Rodgers said she had been able to meet their concerns over compensation and the slaughter and disposal of animals.

"They are anxious to co-operate, that the cull goes ahead and the cull goes ahead this afternoon."

The European Commission had agreed to grant regional status for the Northon condition the cull of 2,500 sheep around the infected farm in Meigh, Co Armagh, was done.

Farmers in the area had been demanding compensation above the market price for the animals but Ms Rodgers said they had now agreed to accept full market value for every animal killed.

"I am very pleased with the outcome. I think the farmers are pleased with the outcome. They had some anxieties; these have been resolved. The cull will go ahead and I think it's in the interests of the whole community," she said.

I think the farmers are pleased with the outcome. They had some anxieties; these have been resolved. Ms Bríd Rodgers

The Ulster Unionist Party today claimed farmers were demanding immunity before giving the go-ahead to the cull.

Ulster Unionist Assembly member for Newry and Armagh, Mr Danny Kennedy, claimed the talks involved the non-prosecution of smugglers.

But a senior member of Sinn Féin denied talks between south Armagh farmers and Department of Agriculture officials last night had centred on calls for immunity from the farmers. The talks ended without agreement.

Mr Conor Murphy said the talks had focused on attempts by farmers to get the best financial deal possible.