27 FEBRUARY 2017

ICSA beef chairman Edmond Phelan has welcomed the enhanced trade deal for Irish beef entering Saudi Arabia announced by Minister Michael Creed on his visit to the Gulf region. The Saudi market is now open for minced, processed, cooked and bone-in beef from Ireland. Mr Phelan said “With extra cattle around, news of this nature is always welcome. Of course the real value of this market to the producer will depend on the price they can achieve.”

Separately, Mr Phelan also welcomed reports that Purcell Livestock Exporters are to step up their activities in the Irish market for live shipping having tendered to ship up to 47,000 live cattle to Turkey this year. “This is a recognition that the live trade is picking up at long last and shows just how important securing markets of this kind is. Many farmers will remember the days when Purcells shipped thousands of live cattle a week from Waterford and will be very glad to see their return. Minister Creed must now take every opportunity to capitalise on other markets with great potential, such as Algeria, Egypt and Iran. Critically, these markets are outside the EU, where we know beef consumption is rising.”

ENDS