Purcell Brothers is buying light bulls for a shipment to Turkey. When all stock are bought, they will be isolated and quarantined so it will some weeks before shipment is made. The order is for approximately 3,000 beef-bred animals that will be fattened on Turkish farms.

This order is being filled on an import licence issued last autumn by the Turkish authorities. Purcell Brothers is being told that it will be May before issuing of new licences resumes. The company is also finalising a contract for approximately 2,000 bulls for Libya, to be delivered later this spring. This order could include black-and-white bulls in addition to beef animals.

Egyptian audit

Meanwhile, Egyptian inspectors are to conduct a systems audit in Irish beef and sheepmeat plants in 2020, with a view to increased market access.

Ireland already has beef access to Egypt and, during the visit, Department officials submitted a proposed veterinary health certificate for sheepmeat to their Egyptian counterparts.

Last week, the Department of Agriculture and Bord Bia concluded a trade mission to Egypt, which raised awareness of Ireland as a source of high quality, safe and sustainable food.