Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Foreign Promotional Visits.

Brian Cowen

Ceist:

825 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the non-EU countries, if any, the Taoiseach has visited since 20 March 1996, to promote Irish beef; the dates of such visits; the number and position of the officials who accompanied him; the plans, if any, he has for such visits in the future; if so, the dates of such future visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16118/96]

Brian Cowen

Ceist:

898 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will give any timetable for the visit to this country by Libyan officials and for any subsequent opening up of the live trade to Libya in view of his visit to Libya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16114/96]

Brian Cowen

Ceist:

899 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the non-EU countries, if any, he has visited since 20 March 1996, to promote Irish beef; the dates of such visits; the number and position of the officials who accompanied him; the plans, if any, he has for such visits in the future; if so, the dates of such future visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16115/96]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 825, 898 and 899 together. Since 20 March, I have visited Russia and Libya. A successful promotional visit to Russia took place from 28 to 29 May 1996. I was accompanied on the visit by officials of my Department, an assistant secretary and my private secretary. I was also accompanied on the visit by the Director of International Markets from An Bord Bia. I travelled to Libya on 16 July for discussions with the Libyan authorities on the re-opening of the live cattle and beef trade between Ireland and Libya. The Libyan authorities undertook to send a technical delegation to Ireland in advance of placing the autumn tender for the supply of live cattle and beef to Libya. It was also agreed that following the lifting of the ban priority would be given to Irish supplies. It is anticipated that the delegation will come to Ireland in the August-September period. I was accompanied on the visit by an assistant secretary, a deputy chief veterinary officer, my private secretary, the agricultural attaché at the Rome Embassy which is accredited to Libya and an officer from An Bord Bia.

Promotional visits to non-EU countries on Irish beef have not been undertaken by the Taoiseach since 20 March 1996. However, political interventions have been made by the Taoiseach with the political leaders in a number of third countries. Many of the issues and concerns raised by importing countries in regard to the recent BSE crisis are technical. The full resources of my Department, the Diplomatic Service and An Bord Bia are continuing to address these concerns and providing the necessary reassurances to all importing countries on the safety of Irish cattle and beef. The question of promotional visits to third country markets is kept under constant review and I am prepared to make further visits should this prove necessary.