A conference has heard that Ireland is the country who will suffer most if new European regulations for the transport of animals are approved.
The proposed revision of transport rules involves stricter travel times, space allowances and navigation systems.
The conference of the European Association of Livestock Marts in Kilkenny heard this morning that the changes could result in elimination of almost all Ireland's live exports as the economics of animal transport with the current legislation is only just viable.
Live exports are worth about €93m annually, while overall beef exports are worth €1.7bn.
Ray Doyle, an executive from the Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society, told the Kilkenny conference that if live exports are removed, the competition for animals would obviously diminish and farmers would be the ultimate losers as prices for good quality cattle would fall.
Mr Doyle said that on the dairy side, the export of veal Friesian calves could also disappear and dairy farmers would possibly have to pay someone to take these animals rather than receive some money for them.
The two-day conference in Kilkenny is being attended by over 130 delegates from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Spain, Belgium, Holland, Scotland, England and France.
The IFA says the European Commission will find it very difficult to get backing from member states for, what it describes as, the EU's unscientific proposals on animal stocking densities and travel times.
The chairman of the IFA Livestock Committee, Michael Doran, said the current proposals are a non-runner and would do irreparable damage to the Irish live export trade. He said Ireland cannot be denied access to the EU single market for live cattle.
Mr Doran said the live export trade has the potential to reach 250,000 head this year, driven by increased demand in Italy and Spain where beef prices are strong and a reduction in feed costs has restored profitability to cattle finishers.
