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A recent order for several boatloads of live cattle to Libya was not filled because the Libyan buyer could not get a visa from the Department of Justice to travel here to supervise his stock being loaded.
The buyer applied for a business visa in mid-November, ahead of a shipment in late December, but has not received any reply.
Frustration
Frustrated, he travelled to Spain and is negotiating to buy cattle there instead.
This development was outlined to the Irish Farmers Journal by the Irish exporter, who is well established in the business. He, too, is very frustrated and says the export contract he signed with the Libyan buyer was for €5m, or some 4,000 bulls.
“The application for the business visa was submitted to the Irish embassy in Abu Dhabi and forwarded on to Dublin and we gave a letter of support,” the exporter said.
“It’s been sitting there for three months. There’s been no explanation about the delay.
"He hasn’t been refused or asked for further information – just silence. ”
A number of the exporter’s local TDs requested Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan to have the application dealt with.
“So, too, did IFA, but all to no avail,” the exporter said.
Visas
The Libyan buyer does not have any security issues – he has obtained visas and visited Ireland before to buy cattle.
“We had an approved livestock boat lined up and ready to sail to Ireland in December to pick up the cattle. But that deal has now gone up in smoke. This is at a time when we need to get bulls out of the country.”
Cattle exports to Libya were 5,450 head in 2018 and 1,830 head in 2017.
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