Egypt eases conditions for importation of Irish beef
The Egyptian market has been open to Irish beef exports since October 2001, but the actual resumption of trade in commercial volumes had been hampered by conditions imposed by the Cairo authorities on the type of eligible cuts.
Mr Walsh said the newly negotiated conditions for trade now represent a significant market opportunity and opens the way towards a full resumption of beef exports to Egypt.
Yesterday’s decision by the Egyptian authorities follows direct contact between Mr Walsh and Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister Dr Youssef Wally.
Mr Walsh said he had been pressing his Egyptian counterpart to ensure that trade could materialise in commercial volumes following the reopening of the market in late 2001.
The move also follows significant efforts by his department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and An Bord Bia, who have been working closely with the Egyptian veterinary authorities. This included the holding of a major seminar on food safety in the Irish beef sector, held in Cairo last June.
Mr Walsh said the decision reflected an increased confidence by the Egyptian authorities in Ireland’s ability to guarantee the safety and quality of Irish beef.
In 1999, the Egyptian market imported more than 150,000 tonnes of Irish beef worth in excess of £200m. At that time it was Ireland’s largest market for beef.
Mr Walsh said while the beef market is very strong at present, and internal EU trade in particular is going well, the restoration of third country market access remains a top priority.
“Significant resources have been invested in Ireland’s handling of BSE and it was gratifying that this was now being recognised by food safety expert.”
