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Egypt has given indications that it is committed to simplifying import requirements for live animals and meat from the EU.
The areas of animal age, testing, quarantine periods and inspection requirements will all be targeted for further co-operation and simplification.
The commitment comes following a series of meetings between the Egyptian Minister for Agriculture Ezz El-Din Abu Steit and European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan.
Irish authorities have been trying to restore live trade with Egypt since 2016, when initial agreement was secured to allow Irish cattle into the country.
However, shipments have failed to materialise.
Co-operation
Commissioner Hogan was in Cairo on Monday 21 January to discuss co-operation between the EU and Egypt, especially in the area of agriculture and rural development.
The meetings are ahead of Egypt assuming the presidency of the African Union for the coming year.
In a joint statement with the Commissioner, Minister Abu Steit indicated current restrictions on both live exports and meat would be loosened.
The country's live cattle imports stand at 250,000hd/year and the US Department of Agriculture forecasts that this will increase to 340,000hd this year.
Technical barriers
He also supported the resolution of a number of technical barriers to trade. These included the obligation of mandatory pre-shipment inspections of imported commodities and the compulsory registration of companies exporting certain agricultural to Egypt.
Both the minister and Commissioner Hogan concluded by highlighting the importance of facilitating business-to-business contacts between EU and Egyptian agri-food companies and farm groups.
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