Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:99 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of previous beef markets lost through the BSE scare which have been restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4351/01]
Vol. 530 No. 5
99 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of previous beef markets lost through the BSE scare which have been restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4351/01]
As the largest exporter of beef in the northern hemisphere, Ireland has been particularly badly affected by the current BSE crisis in Europe, although the factors which precipitated the recent crisis have been outside of our control. As a result of a general ban on European beef, almost all of our traditionally important non-EU markets are closed to us at the present time.