Paul Connaughton
Question:257 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the live trade for Irish cattle to Egypt will resume; and his views on whether this trade will resume before the end of 1997. [19149/97]
Written Answers. - Cattle Exports.
The Egyptian authorities agreed, as a result of my meetings with the Egyptian Deputy Premier and Ministers for Agriculture and for Supply, to consider accepting a trial shipment of cattle from Ireland. The formulation of a proposal which would allay the concerns of the Egyptian authorities necessitated a technical assessment of quarantine and slaughtering facilities in Egypt. This was completed last week and a proposal is now being finalised by my Department in conjunction with the Irish Livestock Exporters Association.
Every effort will be made to obtain an early decision from the Egyptian authorities on the proposal to allow the trial shipment take place before the end of the year. This is the best way to achieve a full reopening of the market.