Restrictions on the movement of animals between farms, introduced during the foot-and-mouth crisis, are expected to be eased considerably on Monday.
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Following a meeting between the Minister for Agriculture Mr Walsh, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), the ICMSA said agreement had been reached in principle, to allow the farm-to-farm movement of animals.
The President of the ICMSA, Mr Pat O’Rourke, said he was confident that live exports and the resumption of normal activity at the State’s marts could resume on June 21st - three months after the State's only case of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed in Co Louth.
"The requirement for a veterinary inspection for within-farm movements should now be ended. The need for such veterinary inspection has clearly been substantially reduced given the progress on FMD," Mr O’Rourke said.
This afternoon representatives from farmers organisations and some members of the Department’s expert group will meet to discuss the details of new regulations governing the movement of animals between farms.
It is thought likely that a certification system similar to the one in operation for the transportation of livestock to abattoirs and meat processing plants will be agreed. There will be a further meeting between the groups on Thursday, with the new regulations taking effect next Monday.