Dan Wallace
Ceist:15 Mr. D. Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his views on whether the suspension of normal diplomatic relations between Iran and Ireland will impede efforts to restore our valuable beef trade. [10775/97]
Written Answers. - Beef and Cattle Exports.
Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:21 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the action, if any, being taken to ensure that the live export markets will be opened as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10776/97]
Robert Molloy
Ceist:28 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to visit third countries closed to Irish cattle and beef exports; the action, if any, he has taken to reopen such markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10758/97]
John Ellis
Ceist:38 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the most recent efforts he has made to use his office to restore full access for Irish beef exports to Russia and for Irish live cattle exports to Egypt, and to reopen our traditional beef trade with Iran and out cattle and beef trade with Libya. [10745/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 21, 28 and 38 together.
It is important to bear in mind that Ireland is trading normally in cattle and beef on most international markets and it is against this background that we should look at the restrictions that have been imposed by a small number of countries arising from the BSE scare. As to the specific markets mentioned by the Deputies, the following is the position.
Three weeks ago, I received a technical delegation from Libya who visited Ireland to observe our controls first hand. They told me that they were impressed with the control measures we have in place and that they would be making a favourable report to the authorities in Libya. I have written to my counterpart in Tripoli to impress upon him the need for an early and favourable decision and I am keeping the matter under close review.
As regards Egypt, some weeks ago the Egyptian authorities approved a revised veterinary certificate to accompany beef exports to Egypt thus ensuring that the trade would continue unimpeded. So far this year contracts have been signed for supply of 10,000 tonnes and a substantial portion of this quantity is currently being shipped. In so far as live cattle are concerned, I plan to use the occasion of the forthcoming Cairo Food Fair to continue my personal efforts to have this market reopened.
On Iran, technical discussions are continuing with a view to agreeing an acceptable veterinary protocol. These are technical discussions and should not be unduly affected by the temporary difficulty in diplomatic relations between our two countries.
In relation to Russia, notwithstanding the restrictions applied by the Russian authorities to cattle from certain counties, our exports to that market are continuing at significant levels. Nearly 20,000 tonnes has been supplied to date in 1997. I hope to have further discussions with the Russian side in the near future in order to have the restrictions reviewed.
With reference to the Gulf States, I have recently secured the reopening of the market in the United Arab Emirates and I am given to understand that this decision will be used as a model for those few countries in the Gulf which continue to apply restrictions to Irish beef.