Cattle Acts

In Irish history, protectionist legislation passed by the English Parliament in 1663, 1667, 1671, and 1681, giving effect to a total prohibition of imports of Irish cattle, beef, pork, and bacon into England. Once interpreted as part of a deliberate English policy to destroy the Irish economy, the legislation is now seen as a reflection of the influence of specific agricultural and commercial interest groups within the English Parliament. The legislation damaged the Irish economy but not fatally, encouraging greater development in the Irish butter and salted meat export market to Europe and the British colonies. The acts were repealed 1758–59.