Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has said he is considering visiting Egypt to promote live cattle exports and other agricultural exports. His comments, made at this week’s IFA AGM, were welcomed by IFA livestock chair Angus Woods.

The Minister told the meeting that the live export trade was a vital safety valve for the beef sector and that he was personally very committed to ensuring it be part of the policy mix for the beef sector.

He said that there is a market opportunity in Egypt for Irish live cattle right now and that his officials were working on improving the certification issues.

A health certificate for adult slaughter cattle is already agreed between Ireland and Egypt. However, Irish exporters see more potential for export of younger cattle. The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the Department of Agriculture has raised the issue of a cert for feeder cattle with the Egyptian authorities directly and at embassy level, and is now awaiting a reply.

Egypt useful but not a game changer for beef exports

Full coverage: Egypt

Creed tells the IFA he is open to Egypt visit

He would promote live cattle as well as other agricultural exports, he told the IFA meeting.