Progress was reported yesterday towards resuming the live cattle trade with Egypt - potentially worth more than £100 million to Ireland - but the IFA president has said it is imperative that the Minister for Agriculture travel to Cairo to resolve outstanding issues.
Speaking after an IFA delegation met the Egyptian ambassador, Mr Hassan Salem, in Dublin, Mr John Donnelly expressed optimism about resuming the link at a vital time for Irish farmers with more than a million cattle coming onto the market.
The Egyptian Embassy said "fruitful and serious discussions" were in progress between the Egyptian and Irish departments of agriculture which should bear results soon.
Following the "political direction" to resume the market in June, some technical details had to be worked out, Mr Donnelly said. Following two visits to Cairo by Irish officials, progress had been made in reassuring the Egyptians about the veterinary and health status of Irish cattle.
He understood, however, that what was required was a final political resolution which could only be effected by the Minister, Mr Walsh, travelling immediately to Egypt. "The urgency is because stock are ready to go on the market. Egypt can provide a stable autumn cattle trade and competitive prices for livestock farmers."
It might also be necessary for veterinary staff to accompany the Minister, Mr Donnelly said. "The Egyptian authorities in Ireland are working to facilitate the earliest possible reopening. After our discussions, we are more convinced than even that he should go.
"Issues of a non-technical nature, including timing, need to be resolved."
The Department of Agriculture said Mr Walsh was prepared to go immediately if that proved necessary. "We are working very closely with the Egyptian authorities. There is no point in the Minister travelling to Egypt just now. He remains available to travel."
Mr Walsh had maintained contact with his Egyptian counterpart throughout this month, but Ireland could not force live beef on Egypt. It had already bought the equivalent of 100,000 cattle this year in the form of frozen beef.
The Department spokesman added: "The Egyptian press had been bedevilled by food scare stories in recent weeks which have no connection with Ireland. British beef is turning up all over the place. Discussions have become more delicate arising out of this, but Egypt remains the Minister's key priority."
