Turkey opens for beef

A VETERINARY agreement last week cleared the way to allow export of Irish beef from animals aged 30 months or under, to Turkey, subject to certain conditions.

The Turkish market recently re-opened to EU beef after 14 years, and many member states have been in negotiations with the Turkish authorities on certification.

Turkish beef output dropped about 5% from 2000 to 2009, while the population grew by 14%, to nearly 75 million. Turkish authorities responded last October by reducing the import tariff duty for beef and lamb carcases from 225% to 30%. This triggered imports of about 22,000 tonnes of beef in two months.

Bord Bia estimates that up to 2,000 tonnes weekly is being shipped from EU member states.

IFA President John Bryan said access to the Turkish market has already had a major impact on the beef market across Europe, reflected in a cattle price increase of €200 per head in Germany.