Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and senior Department officials travelled to Istanbul in Turkey on Wednesday for talks on weanling exports and other trade issues.

He was due to meet with the Turkish minister for agriculture and forestry Bekir Pakdemirli for discussions. There will also be talks with Turkish veterinary and trade officials. Turkish livestock and meat importers are invited to meet the Irish delegation on Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, trade missions in North Africa and the Far East, including China, Japan, South Korea, Egypt and Algeria are on the minister’s itinerary for 2019.

A mission to China is planned for May, followed by visits to Japan and South Korea in June. Live exports will be back on the agenda in November as the minister visits Algeria and Egypt.