BSE Crisis

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 6:46 pm on 13 November 1996.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mr Seamus Mallon Mr Seamus Mallon , Newry and Armagh 6:46, 13 November 1996

I realise the difficulties of having one's economy tied into a wider economy, but that is a problem for the Scots.

The beef trade is of greater relevance to the north of Ireland, which exports almost all its beef and cannot sustain a beef industry in the face of a worldwide export ban. That is the difference, and that is the problem. About 80 per cent. of the beef production of Northern Ireland is exported: 30 per cent. to Britain, and 50 per cent. to the rest of Europe. Suddenly to close off the market for 50 per cent. of production spells trouble for an already depleted economy.