Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is a problem in that the market does not want this type of meat. There is an issue in relation to meat from bulls over 20 months. The markets are looking for steers and heifers from Ireland, generally. That is the view not only of the processors but of the buyers to whom I have spoken about this issue. We have an issue in that there is over-supply of a product that the markets are not currently demanding and this has driven prices down. It is important that an alternative market such as live cattle exports is found in order that we can address the issue of over-supply. That is what we are trying to do.

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