A Turkish veterinary delegation will visit Ireland next week to consider the potential for live cattle exports. This was confirmed on Wednesday by Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney in an address to Oireachtas members.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands they will meet with counterparts in the Department of Agriculture near Dublin on Monday. The following day they will meet with a live exporter and visit suckler farms. They will return to Dublin on Wednesday. It is hoped that after the visit the Turkish authorities will grant a health certificate for Irish cattle.

Turkish importers have already expressed interest in buying cattle here. Representatives of one importing company were here last week at the invitation of a midlands-based exporter, visiting his lairage and a number of farms.

“They were happy with the cattle they saw and the general health status of Irish herds. It’s down to price and transport now,” the exporter told the Irish Farmers Journal.