5 JANUARY 2017

ICSA beef chairman Edmond Phelan has welcomed the reopening of the Egyptian market to Irish beef. Speaking following Minister Creed’s announcement that five Irish plants will commence exporting to Egypt upon completion of technical arrangements Mr Phelan said “This news is indeed welcome and timely as we need all the markets we can get to facilitate increasing cattle numbers. However, farmers will be keen to see if this move will strengthen beef prices. That will be the real test.”

Mr Phelan also commended Minister Creed on his efforts to open live trade with Algeria. “With extra cattle supplies, these on-going efforts to secure new markets are vital. We would also like to see the same efforts put into the potentially lucrative Iran market. ICSA has been lobbying for the reopening of the Irish Embassy in Tehran and has had talks with the Iranian Embassy on this issue. ICSA is also in discussion with the Central Bank on facilitating financial transactions between Ireland and Iran which currently do not exist.”

Concluding Mr Phelan said ICSA will continue to push for new markets for both beef and the live trade of cattle. “Huge opportunities exist for these exports. The increased production we are currently witnessing will not be viable if we do not capitalise on these opportunities. We also need to see a sensible approach from the Irish processors exporting to Egypt. Any advantages to this market opening will be lost if we see factories undercutting each other on price for these contracts.”

ENDS