Ned O'Keeffe
Question:145 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the proposals he has to open the Libyan market for live cattle exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17448/01]
Written Answers. - Live Exports.
The agreement signed with Libya in June last year provided that Ireland would be officially listed as a source country for all Libyan tenders for the supply of live cattle. Since then the Libyan Foreign Minister indicated that it had not been possible to import live cattle because of what he called logistical problems and that Libya would buy beef directly. Libya subsequently issued tenders for the supply of beef and Ireland was included in the list of countries invited to tender. A number of Irish companies submitted bids at that time.
Efforts at diplomatic and technical level will be continued to ensure that the agreement signed with Libya last June is fully implemented.