Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 16 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 3

Written Answers. - Beef Exports.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

168 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will give details of the export of approximately 52 tonnes of beef to Egypt in the first half of 2002; the subsidies or sponsorships which were applied; if any shipments have taken place since; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18601/02]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Following the lifting of the Egyptian ban on Irish beef imports, an initial consignment of approximately 65 tonnes of beef was produced and shipped to Egypt earlier this year. The beef was supplied in accordance with agreed Egyptian requirements and attracted the full rate of export refund. All the animals used to supply the beef were tested for BSE and the entire production process was overseen by a team of Egyptian veterinarians. My Department covered the cost of BSE testing since the animals were under the age of 30 months which is the age above which testing is mandatory.

The decision by the Egyptian authorities to lift the ban on Irish beef imports was a welcome development for Irish cattle and beef sectors and the recent introduction of a special export refund rate, which is up to 30% above the normal rate, should help restore the level of trade to this important traditional market.

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

169 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of beef exports to Egypt between January 1998 and September 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18602/02]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Beef exports to Egypt from January 1998 to September 2002 were as follows:

Year	Tonnes(Carcass Weight Equivalent)
1998	120,000
1999	157,000
2000	114,000
2001	0
2002	65

Egypt, which had been Ireland's most import export market for beef, imposed a ban on European beef imports following the BSE crisis in mainland Europe late in 2000. Since then, intensive efforts at Government level, politically, diplomatically and technically, resulted in the Egyptian authorities re-opening their market to Irish beef imports in October 2001. The decision by the Egyptian authorities to lift the ban on Irish beef imports was a welcome development for Irish cattle and beef sectors. The recent introduction of a special export refund rate of up to 30% above the normal level should help Irish exporters regain a strong presence on this important and traditional market for Irish beef.