Vol. 564 No. 3
82 Mr. English asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his proposals to take action on re-opening international beef markets closed to Ireland and assisting the re-opening of the beef trade to Egypt in order that cattle prices can be lifted off of the current unviable level of ?2.38/kg, 85c/lb, for R grades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9068/03]
It is my policy and that of the Government that Irish beef should be free to enter any market where exporters consider there are commercial possibilities. Where there are restrictions due to BSE, every effort has, and will continue to be made at political, diplomatic and technical level to have them removed. As a consequence of these efforts, the Egyptian market re-opened late 2001 although trade has not yet resumed in commercial quantities. Following my representations to Commissioner Fischler last September, the EU increased export refunds by up to 30% on beef exported to Egypt. However, for the most part, the non-resumption of trade is due to the poor price available in Egypt compared to that currently obtained in the UK. There are some technical issues in relation to the type of cuts acceptable and these issues are being followed up with the Egyptian authorities. Greater flexibility on this issue would make the Egyptian market more commercially attractive.
As a result of ongoing contacts between the Irish and Russian authorities restrictions on the supply of beef from certain counties were lifted and this has substantially improved access to that market for Irish beef. Intensive efforts are continuing in relation to other important markets for Irish beef such as the Gulf states, South Africa and Indonesia.
