Lebanon reopens €100m market to Irish meat after 13-year ban
Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said: “The Lebanese market is one of huge potential for Irish exporters as they currently import 60% of beef into a domestic market worth €100m annually. I am confident that Irish exporters can regain their slice of that market and grow it further over time.
“Veterinary health certificates have been agreed between Lebanese and Irish authorities, ensuring that trade can commence immediately.”
Prior to the BSE-related ban, exports of Irish beef to Lebanon were valued at around €5m per annum. The ban in respect of live cattle was lifted in May 2001, when the Department of Agriculture negotiated a revised veterinary health cert with Lebanese authorities in respect of live cattle.
However, that agreement did not extend to beef. The export of live cattle to Libya only resumed last February. At the time, the IFA heralded the move as very significant for Ireland, welcoming resumption of live exports to North Africa for the first time in 18 years.
Before last spring, Ireland had been without veterinary certificates for live exports to Libya, Egypt, and Lebanon since 1995. Irish exports of live cattle to North Africa and the Middle East are likely to exceed 300,000 head of cattle annually in the future.
Mr Coveney welcomed the Lebanese decision to fully reopen its market to Irish beef, sheep meat, and cooked meats. He said that this agreement followed sustained efforts over a number of years by his department and the Irish Embassy in Cairo.
“This market will provide another valuable outlet for Irish product and will further enhance Ireland’s reputation as a source of high quality sustainably produced food,” said Mr Coveney. “It follows the recent reopening of other markets, notably Japan during my recent visit with the Taoiseach there.
“These market openings are key to growing Irish exports, as seen in last week’s Bord Bia figures for 2013, as well as helping achieve the targets set out in the Food Harvest 2020 Strategy.”
Irish beef exports showed strong growth in 2013, with volumes up 4% and value up 10% to €2.1bn. Sheep meat exports also grew in 2013, with volumes up 3% and value up 4% to €220m.
The ICSA’s beef chairman, Edmond Phelan, said he welcomes the reopening of the Lebanese market to Irish beef and sheep meats, but added that this outlet is of little consolation to beef farmers who currently cannot sell bulls to Irish meat factories.
