Reports in the press suggest the EU may be willing to adjust its stance on livestock movements between GB and NI, with proposals coming from the EU on future requirements.
Central to the proposals is the ability for animals from NI to return home after attending trade/exhibition fairs without the need to complete the current six-month GB residency period.
Additionally, there is a proposal to remove the need for retagging of animals when they move multiple times between GB and NI during their lifetime.
A further suggestion has been made that the EU is working on changes to the regulations regarding scrapie risk control to enable easier movements of sheep and goats between GB and NI.
Society chief executive John Yates said these proposals would be welcomed and would, if enacted, give more flexibility for NI Texel breeders.
“The Society has recently been working with senior DEFRA officials to help provide a greater understanding of the issues facing NI breeders and the impact of the NI protocol on the Texel trade.
“Obviously any proposals on the table from the EU will not be in place in time for this year’s National Sales, but they are a welcome step in the right direction and provide some hope of easier trading in future.”
