A TIPPERARY radio station sent one of its journalists to Moscow yesterday as an emissary to voice the concerns of the local community at the Russian government's decision to ban beef from three Irish counties - Tipperary, Cork and Monaghan.
Eoin Ryan, a news reporter for Tipp FM, will meet staff of An Bord Bia and the Irish Embassy, as well as representatives of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture.
He will also deliver letters to the Russian agriculture ministry from the main farming organisations, from the chairmen of South and North Tipperary county councils, and from the first citizens of the towns of Co Tipperary.
Tipp FM said in a statement that the Russian decision to ban beef imports would have particularly serious consequences in Co Tipperary on people employed in farming and by beef processors.
The statement added that some of the largest processing factories in Ireland are in Tipperary towns, including Clonmel, Nenagh and Cahir. The industry provides employment for over 1,000 people in the county, making it the single biggest employment sector.
The statement concludes that it is estimated that of the total beef exports to Russia from Ireland, 30 per cent is processed in Co Tipperary. The Russian decision has for the first time in the history of the State allowed the fine name and reputation of Co Tipperary's products to be tarnished, it said.