Representatives from a livestock importing firm in Algeria were in Ireland this week for talks with an Irish cattle exporter. They discussed prices and visited farms to examine the quality and health of Irish cattle.

Veterinary certification is in place for export of Irish cattle to Algeria. The market wants quality store cattle for further feeding on local Algerian farms. The development was welcomed by IFA livestock chair Angus Woods who said that there is potential for exports there to take place in 2017.

The shipment of heifers that left Waterford Port has now docked and unloaded at Mersin, Turkey, with all 1,564 animals in good health.

The breeding animals will be sold on to local farms. This was the first shipment of cattle to a non-EU market in 2017.

Live exports to EU markets continue to be strong but calf numbers are now starting to decline seasonally. Calf exports were 7,941 head in the week ending 2 April, down from the week before.

In addition, 730 weanlings, 481 stores and 442 adult cattle were exported.

Total live cattle exports were 9,594 head. For now, the Netherlands and Spain continue to take the largest numbers.

Last week’s reference to live exporters receiving a market briefing this week in Tullamore was not accurate.

Instead, live exporters met Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and his officials in Dublin on Wednesday.

The minister expressed his support for the trade and outlined how his department would help ensure the trade was kept sustainable by operating to the highest standards. Exporters were updated on the regime of veterinary controls operated by the Department of Agriculture, operating at EU level and in the key export markets that Ireland exports to.