357 Mr. Cullimore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, in view of the immense importance of our previous beef export market with Libya which was £200 million before the 1990 BSE scare, he will outline the outcome of trade delegations meeting with Libyan groups who extended this invitation to visit Libya to resume trade for non-intervention grade cattle that was so important to our agricultural sector.

In December the Libyan authorities stated that they had no objection to the importation of boneless beef from Ireland. Officials of my Department and of the Department of Foreign Affairs visited Tripoli in January for veterinary and trade discussions. This resulted in the signing of a veterinary protocol on beef and dairy products and an agreement on wider trade and agricultural co-operation.

As I stated to the House on 4 March, I hope that the exports of cattle can be resumed later this year.