Michael Creed
Ceist:40 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the progress, if any, made regarding live exports to Libya. [26437/99]
Written Answers. - Live Exports.
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 visited Libya in August and there has been correspondence from the Taoiseach to the Libyan leader since then. As recently as last month, I wrote again to the Libyan Minister for Animal Health in this matter. We are still awaiting a reply from the Libyans to these communications. I will, however, continue to pursue every avenue open to me to ensure that this agreement is honoured.
Exports of live cattle and calves to date this year have substantially increased to 386,000 compared with 150,000 and 52,000 in the corresponding periods of 1998 and 1997.