Ireland has been prioritised as one of the top countries for Egypt to work with in the live export trade.

The Egyptian Government is seeking one million head of livestock and Irish cattle are said to be top of its list.

IFA president Joe Healy met with the Egyptian Ambassador Soha Samir Nashd Gendi in Dublin this week and discussed the opportunities around live exports for Irish farmers.

Egypt is seeking to acquire tops breeds of livestock and Joe Healy said there are real live export opportunities for Irish cattle.

Ireland to be a key partner

The meeting was facilitated by the Ceann Comhairle Sean Ó Fearghaíl, following his recent visit to Cairo, where he met with the Egyptian Minister for Agriculture.

Joe Healy said the Ambassador outlined details of a Government project seeking 1m head of livestock and that Ireland is one of the top countries Egypt seeks co-operation with in the acquisition of top breeds of livestock.

The IFA has requested that the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed prioritise a trade visit to Egypt around live exports, he added.

It was also confirmed that both the Department and the IFA are working on getting a veterinary certificate for fattening cattle to Egypt and also on easing the restrictive quarantine arrangements.

Live exports to Turkey

Meanwhile, Purcell Brothers have begun buying young bulls at cattle sales.

The young bulls are for further feeding on Turkish farms and a first shipment to Turkey is set for the end of April.

Turkey has a huge requirement for imported meat and livestock in 2017 to feed its growing population.

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