#FerryNews - Animal welfare groups internationally have slammed the “disgraceful” calls from the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) to increase the live export of Irish livestock in 2018.

As the Green News.ie writes, the comments come in response to calls from the IFA’s National Livestock Chairman, Angus Woods at a Bord Bia seminar on live exports in Tullamore, Co Offaly yesterday.

Mr Woods said that the Minister of Agriculture, Michael Creed must “put all the necessary resources in place” to facilitate an increase in exports.

The IFA also met with senior officials from the Department of Agriculture to discuss transport options for the export of livestock.

Stena Line is due to refit their existing vessel (as reported previously on Afloat) which is used to transport live exports and the IFA want to ensure that a replacement ship is available for peak export weeks in February and March.

“It must be of the highest priority to Minister Creed that the new arrangements can deal with our live exports and shipping requirements during this peak export period. Market access is absolutely critical,” Mr Woods said.

To read much more including what are claimed as 'horrendous journeys' according to Campaigns at Compassion in World Farming, click here.

#LivestocktoLibya – A livestock-carrier docked in Waterford Port yesterday, to restore the trade with Libya, which banned beef imports, following the BSE (mad cow) disease which broke out in Ireland, more than 17 years ago, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Al Mahmoud Express is believed to be operated by a Syrian shipping company. The 7,089 tonnes vessel berthed at Belview, the port's main terminal facility, downriver of the city on the Waterford Estuary. It was back in the 1990's, when the city quays last saw live-stock trading on a more regular basis.

Together the Department of Agriculture and the IFA have been working strenuously to have live cattle exported to North Africa.

IFA Livestock Director Kevin Kinsella said that cattle agents are now buying cattle for live export and are looking for coloured cattle, and continental breeds, Angus and Hereford. Mr Kinsella expressed the hope that the live trade will also resume shortly to Egypt and Lebanon.

Prior to the Panamanian flagged vessel setting sail to Ireland, officials from the Department of Agriculture carried out an inspection of the ship in Turkey, which led to some modifications.

In this first shipment to Libya, up to 2,900 live cattle are to be transported to Tripoli. It is estimated the passage time will take 10 days, with an en-route call to Ceuta, the Spanish enclave which neighbours Morocco.

The cattle kill is likely to be up by up to 150,000 this year, and with this additional outlet will help to keep upward pressure on prices.

Al Mahmoud Express, was previously a 700 capacity vehicle-carrier that regularly called to Irish ports. As the Autoline, the 1983 built vessel ran for United European Car Carriers (U.E.C.C.) and up to several years ago she included calling to Rosslare, before been sold.