RE-OPENING OF SAUDI BEEF MARKET IS GOOD NEWS FOR KILKENNY FARMERS - AYLWARD
The removal of the temporary ban on Irish beef by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is good news for farmers in Kilkenny, according to Bobby Aylward, T.D.
“The ban on Irish beef imports into Saudi Arabia has been in place since 2000. Following a visit by Saudi experts to Ireland last June, a decision has just been taken to lift that ban”, Bobby Aylward said.
“This ban was a source of serious concern for many farmers. Our beef exports amounted to 25,000 tonnes annually and it was worth E33,000 million. The Minister for Agriculture took the implications of the ban very seriously and worked hard to have this important market re-opened as quickly as possible”.
“Intensive political, diplomatic and technical efforts were undertaken and both the Taoiseach and the Minister visited Saudi Arabia at the beginning of the year where they took the opportunity to discuss the temporary ban and to convey the grave concerns of Irish beef farmers”.
“When officials from Saudi Arabia visited Ireland over the summer, they were able to observe at first hand the rigourous standards if food safety controls in operation here any they were satisfied that they are effective”.
“It is great news for Kilkenny beef farmers that our efforts have been worthwhile. The trade with Saudi Arabia will resume when individual slaughter plants which are designsted to supply that market are approved by the relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia”, Deputy Aylward ended.
14 October, 2007