December 27, 2005

Export hopes up for Northern Ireland beef

Northern Ireland beef farmers are hoping to export beef into overseas markets again soon.

Ten years after the EU banned beef from Northern Ireland from mad cow disease fears, the president of a farmers union in he country hopes that 2006 will see the ban lifted.

Appropriate measures have been put in place to allay concerns, said the president, adding that it is now up to the European Union to take the necessary steps.

The reform of the Common Agricultural Policy also means that farmers can choose to produce those products which deliver sustainable prices.

In addition are new opportunities in alternative crops, particularly in biofuels. Northern Irish farmers may also look into supplying crops for alternative energy production.