Vol. 456 No. 7
38 Mr. Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the efforts, if any, his Department is making regarding the opening of new markets for meat and livestock to Turkey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14389/95]
The position is that the Turkish authorities recently lifted restrictions on imports of Irish bovine meat and cattle. The lifting of the restrictions, which had been pursued actively by my Department for some time, opened up an important new outlet for Irish producers.
Discussions have been held with the Turkish authorities, in order to agree the necessary health certificates to accompany exports of meat and cattle. Health certificates have been agreed in respect of bovine beef (bone-in and deboned). However, the details in regard to a health certificate for live cattle have not yet been finalised. Discussions are continuing on that issue.
