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The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, today welcomed the opening of the Turkish Market for Irish cattle.

Commenting on this development, the Minister said “The opening of the Turkish market represents a significant achievement and comes at a very opportune time in advance of the expected larger number of stock coming to the market in late summer”.

The Minister recalled the market had re-opened following strenuous efforts by his Department in recent months in pursuing contacts with the Turkish authorities. A detailed questionnaire was completed by the Department in response to the Turkish side. These replies emphasised Ireland’s high animal health status and its enhanced cattle traceability system. Senior Departmental officials had visited Ankara in late April and this was followed up by a visit to Ireland of a Turkish veterinary team in May. The Turkish delegation visited a number of farms, assembly centres and the Department Veterinary Laboratory in Backweston County Kildare.

The culmination of these efforts has resulted in Ireland being added to the Turkish list of approved countries.

Concluding, Minister Creed said “While the veterinary certificate covers cattle for breeding, fattening and slaughter, the immediate focus of the trade is likely to be younger cattle of less than 12 months of age and less than 300kgs. In due course, it is expected that there will be opportunities for the export of breeding animals. Already, Irish commercial interests were making contact with Turkish buyers and it is hoped that contracts will follow in the short term”.