There is further good news for cattle exports, with more Irish cattle set to sail to Turkey, Libya and Tunisia in the coming weeks.

The Turkish government has given the go-ahead to importers to buy weanling bulls directly from Ireland and other approved EU member states. This could lead to higher exports of Irish weanling bulls to this market in 2018. For the past two years, a Turkish state agency controlled imports under a strict tendering system.

Now, Irish exporters can agree contracts for weanling bulls directly with Turkish importers and ship them under the strict veterinary rules agreed between the EU and Turkey. Exporters were told of the development by Turkish livestock buyers on Monday.

All of the major exporters here, including Viastar, Purcell Brothers and John Hallissey Livestock, will now look to agree contracts with Turkish buyers.

These exporters have been assembling weanlings in recent weeks in anticipation of the trade opening.

After being assembled, bulls will have to be quarantined for 21 days. This means the first shipment under this new arrangement could take place in August.

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed told the Irish Farmers Journal the opening of the trade “reflects the high standards of our producers, which gives Ireland the reputation it has throughout the world as a producer of beef and livestock of the highest quality”.

He also said the opening and development of the Turkish market for quality Irish livestock is significant.

Demand for livestock and meat continues to be very strong in Turkey. However, the Turkish currency has weakened this year, making imported livestock and meat more expensive for consumers.

Exports to Turkey from Ireland now stand at 7,948 head so far this year, up from 4,569 for the same period in 2017.

Meanwhile, Co Louth export company Supreme Livestock is this week starting to buy heavy bulls for export to Libya.

A spokesperson said the order is for 2,200 Friesian bulls of 400-500kg plus another 500 continental bulls of 500-600kg. The company plans to send the shipment in mid-July.

Meanwhile Western Livestock Exports, based in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, also have a consignment of 160 weanling bulls ready for export to Tunisia next week.

This is the first shipment to the market since the end of 2015 with the buyers said to be interested in developing the trade as the year progresses.

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