Vol. 542 No. 1
81 Mr. Moloney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when beef exports to Egypt will resume; the significance which he attaches to this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23612/01]
The Egyptian market has recently been re-opened to imports of beef from Ireland. In a decree dated 7 October, the Egyptian authorities have allowed for the early resumption of trade in beef from Ireland. The decree extends the existing European-wide ban, but it provides for an exemption for countries with BSE controls of the type operated by Ireland. This development followed intensive contact at political, diplomatic and technical level over the past number of months between Ireland and Egypt.
It is anticipated that Irish exporters will be in a position to supply markets in Egypt as soon as the detailed certification and specification requirements have been finalised by the Egyptian authorities. Up to the time of the ban on imports from Europe, Egypt had been this country's largest export market for beef and consequently its most important market. For that reason alone, its re-opening is of enormous significance for the Irish beef sector.
82 Mr. J. Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he is pressing for an increase in export refunds following the re-opening of the Egyptian market for beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23613/01]
The recent decision by the Egyptian Government to allow for the resumption of trade in beef from Ireland represents a major boost for the Irish cattle and beef sectors. The level of export refunds will be an important element in the resumption of trade. I have already raised this with the Commission and will continue to do whatever is necessary to ensure that the refund level is appropriate in the context of efforts by Irish exporters to regain one or our most important traditional export markets.
