Progress on Resuming Live Export Trade to Egypt
IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods has said the veterinary certificate negotiated by the Department of Agriculture for fattening cattle for live export to Egypt is good news for the livestock sector and increases the possibility of a resumption of exports.
Angus Woods said IFA has been working on getting the health certificate on live cattle to Egypt extended to cover fattening cattle for some time. He said since the originally veterinary certificate for slaughter cattle was agreed back in February 2016, no shipments have been made but this new development now increases the possibilities.
Angus Woods said quarantine remains an issues for live exports to Egypt and the length and costs involved are excessive.
The IFA Livestock leader said IFA is anxious that the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed would include a visit to Egypt on live cattle in his autumn schedule on market access. He said this is very important in terms of the efforts to get the trade resumed.
Angus Woods said the live export trade is performing very well this year with 141,641 head of stock exported, up 44% on 2016 levels. He said IFA has worked hard on the live export trade securing a major reduction in the costs on calf exports, getting more designated boats cleared and pushing access issues in key markets like Turkey, Libya, Egypt and Holland.