Heatwave ‘wrecked’ beef export trade to Europe

A HEATWAVE in Ireland and much of Europe dealt a “crippling blow” to the beef expor t trade, reported the Irish

Independent this week 40 years ago.

Processors found themselves trapped in a pincer between tight cattle supplies at home and a collapse in markets abroad.

“At least 10 out of a total of 35 meat expor t factories are expected to close for holidays next week and for some of them the holiday closure may be extended. The remainder are working below capacity.”

The extended heatwave and an acute scarcity of grass in Europe, par ticularly in France, saw farmers there killing of f unfinished beef animals and cows. “The result is a very depressed market at a time when consumption would be low anyway.”

And factory sources were warning farmers here against optimistic expectations for the cattle trade in autumn.

“I have seen it asser ted on all sides that trade will be buoyant this autumn and that there will be no glut. I think all those assumptions are questionable and farmers holding back their cattle are playing a dangerous game,” said a meat industry spokesman.