Vol. 510 No. 3
42 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has written to the Libyan Leader, Muamar Gaddafi, seeking the removal of his country's ban on live beef imports from Ireland; if so, the response, if any, he has received to the letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17742/99]
56 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the representations, if any, he has made to the Government of Libya on the subject of the ban on live beef imports from Ireland. [19976/99]
84 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if a reply has been received to the recent letter to the Libyan leader, Colonel Gadaffi; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17400/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 56 and 84 together.
The position with regard to exports to Libya is that an agreement was signed with a Libyan Government delegation in July 1998 providing for the re-opening of the Libyan market for Irish cattle and beef on the basis of agreed veterinary health conditions and terms of contracts. This agreement was the culmination of extensive contacts with the Libyan authorities since early 1997. The Libyan Government, through the General People's Committee, formally cleared the agreement before the end of September of that year and written confirmation to this effect was received.
Despite the agreement, there has been a delay on the part of the Libyan authorities in putting it into effect in relation to live cattle exports. This delay has been a matter of serious concern both to myself and the Government. Ongoing contact has been maintained with the Libyan authorities, through every appropriate channel, with a view to ensuring that the agreement is implemented in practice. I myself visited Libya in August and there has been correspondence from the Taoiseach to the Libyan leader since then. No reply from the Libyan leader has been forthcoming.
I will continue to pursue every avenue open to me to ensure that this agreement is honoured.
