Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 January 2016
92. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and the name of the countries he is in discussions and negotiations with regarding the opening up of new markets for the live export of Irish cattle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2406/16]
View answerThe markets currently open to live cattle from Ireland are Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Russia and Tunisia, in addition to the other twenty-seven Member states of the EU. Responsibility for exploiting market outlets following market access is a commercial matter for the live export sector.
Accessing new markets to add to this list is, and has been, a key priority of mine as I am always anxious that Irish meat and livestock producers have the option of exporting to as many global markets as possible. In this regard my Department is currently investigating the possibilities for agreeing bilateral health certificates for the export of fattening and slaughter cattle to Egypt and Algeria and breeding cattle to Kazakhstan, Morocco, Algeria and Turkey.
