IRISH BEEF EXPORTS TO EGYPT RESUME

UNCLAS DUBLIN 001267

SIPDIS

USDA FOR FAS/DLP AND ITP DIVS; FAS/FAA/BLEGGI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EAGR ECON
SUBJECT: IRISH BEEF EXPORTS TO EGYPT RESUME



1. Irish beef exports to Egypt are set to resume, albeit
slowly, with the completion of the production of 700 metric
tons this week. Egyptian authorities imposed restrictions on
Irish beef in late 2000 following worries over the incidence
of BSE in the EU. Irish exports to Egypt peaked at 154,000
tons in 1999 (150,000 tons in 2000),and the lack of access
to this market, since 2000, was heavily felt throughout the
sector in Ireland. Ongoing veterinary discussions since then
resulted in partial agreements to the re-opening of the
market but no trade had resulted. Further discussions during
the past summer have resulted in this breakthrough. Post
understands that one of the veterinary conditions imposed is
for direct supervision of the slaughtering by Egyptian
veterinarians.


2. With slaughtering of cattle entering its busiest period,
Irish beef processors have welcomed the return of Egypt as a
potential market. Irish beef exports to the UK face a
possible turbulent future in the next few months with the
ending of the Over Thirty Month scheme (where beef from
animals aged over thirty months is excluded from the food
chain). That event has the potential of displacing 70,000
tons of Irish exports to the UK and alternative markets must
be found for this beef. A re-opening of a critical market
may encourage other international markets to re-examine at
Ireland as a source for beef.
Kenny