Willie Penrose
Ceist:82 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contacts, if any, he has had with the Egyptian authorities regarding that country's ban on Irish beef products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14743/97]
Written Answers - Beef Exports to Egypt.
In January 1997 Egypt banned the import of live cattle from Ireland by ministerial decree. They also introduced new veterinary certification requirements in respect of beef, which halted the trade temporarily. New certification requirements were agreed relatively quickly and the trade resumed. I am pleased to say that the trade in frozen beef has been operating normally and that our exports to date in 1997, at 30,000 tonnes, exceed the full year total for 1996.
The ban on live cattle remains in force and the Minister for Agriculture and food travelled to Egypt on 28 September for discussions with the Egyptian Minister for Agriculture. For my part I wrote to the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Mr. Amre Moussa earlier this month. I also took the opportunity of the United Nations General Assembly to meet with him on 26 September. During our meeting which was positive and constructive I took the opportunity to convey to my Egyptian counterpart the Government's concerns regarding the live cattle trade.
In consultation with the Minister for Agriculture and Food I will continue to take any action that may be required to facilitate the reopening of the market for Irish cattle. My Department and the Embassy, Cairo, will continue to act in support of the efforts of the Department of Agriculture and An Bord Bia to ensure the continued access of Irish beef and cattle to the Egyptian market.