Vol. 476 No. 7
387 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the current position in regard to the Egyptian market in view of the visit of the veterinary delegation in January; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8197/97]
Agreement was reached with the Egyptian authorities last week on a revised veterinary certificate to accompany beef from Ireland to Egypt, thus ensuring the continuation of the beef trade. Given that Egypt is the second largest third country market for Irish beef, it was important that this issue was resolved.
As regards live cattle, I am continuing my efforts to have this market reopened.
388 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the current position in relation to live and carcase exports; and if he will make a statement on the efforts, if any, being made to develop further markets. [8198/97]
The level of exports of live cattle up to 9 March 1997 was 10,748, of which 4,831 were exported outside the EU and 5,917 to EU markets. This compares with 36,941 and 6,540 cattle to those markets, respectively, in 1996.
It is estimated that beef exports to date are approximately 120,000 tonnes which represents an increase of 8 per cent on the same period last year. Some 17,000 tonnes of beef has been sold into intervention this year.
Every possible effort is being made to reopen all markets. In this regard a Libyan delegation is in the country this week examining our veterinary controls with a view to getting the live export ban lifted. This follows on a visit by the Egyptian veterinary authorities earlier this year. I am hopeful that these visits will bear fruit in the near future.
