The Turkish market is expected to reopen to live exports in the second half of 2019, Minister Creed said following a meeting with his Turkish counterpart on Thursday. Import licenses are currently suspended by the Turkish Ministry due to over-supply in the Turkish market.

“There are obvious concerns in Turkey regarding over-supply in the beef market, a matter which Minister Pakdemirli is determined to address,” Creed said following the meeting.

“I’m pleased, however, that the minister indicated his intention to consider the reopening of the market in the second half of 2019. I assured my Turkish colleague that there is significant interest from industry in resuming that trade.”

Discussions between the Turkish and Irish minister particularly focused on prospects for renewed live cattle exports from Ireland to Turkey.

Since 2016, more than 60,000 Irish cattle have been exported to Turkey, including both breeding animals and cattle for further fattening.

The Turkish delegation acknowledged the high animal health and welfare controls in Ireland and that Irish cattle arrive in Turkey in excellent condition, Creed said.

Turkish officials visited Ireland last month under the TAIEX programme, including visits to meat plants, livestock marts, assembly centres and ports

There are a number of projects in co-operation carried out between the two countries. One of these is a knowledge transfer programme where the Turkish Ministry is learning about how the Department in Ireland administer European animal welfare laws.

Turkish officials visited Ireland last month under the TAIEX programme, including visits to meat plants, livestock marts, assembly centres and ports to understand how animal welfare controls are administered.

Sustainable Food Systems Ireland (SFSI) also hosted a study visit by Turkish officials in 2017 to understand Ireland’s agri-environmental programmes and approach to sustainable land management practices.

A visit by a Turkish technical team, including officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and ESK (the Turkish Meat and Milk Board) is planned for Summer 2019.

Ireland exported €56m of agri-food products to Turkey in 2018, of which dairy accounted for €33m and live exports almost €13m in value. Ireland imported €15m of agri-food products from Turkey, of which over €11m were fruit and vegetables or fruit and vegetable based products.

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