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12 APRIL 2002 ------------------------- MART BOYCOTT IS PUT ON HOLD IRISH cattle dealers have declared a two-week amnesty in their dispute over the 30-day movement rule, suspending a planned
boycott of auction marts until Apr 22. Instead, the dealers have met with farm and trade organisations in an attempt to agree a common position to put to agriculture minister Joe Walsh in
the hope of relaxing the regulations. The dealers are upset because, following last years foot-and-mouth crisis, they have been banned from re-presenting animals for sale within 30 days of
purchasing them at a mart. Following a meeting this week with the other industry bodies, dealers leader Stephen Foley said good progress had been made towards a compromise that would allow
two movements through a mart within the 30 days. It is understood that the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association opposed the idea, preferring to stick with the current arrangement in the
interests of biosecurity. *