The reopening of the Moroccan market to Irish beef and live cattle after more 15 years has been welcomed by Minister for Defence and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen.
A certificate, which allows the export of live cattle from Ireland to Morocco was agreed by both countries last month and a Veterinary Health Certificate for the export of Irish beef to Morocco was ratified this week.
Irish beef from animals aged under 48 months will now be allowed into Morocco without BSE testing and beef from animals over 48 months, which have tested negative for BSE, will also be approved. This is the same testing regime, which applies to beef exports destined for the EU.
Reacting to the news, Minister Killeen said: “This market has been closed to Ireland for almost a decade and a half and its reopening follows a successful visit to Ireland by a delegation of senior Moroccan veterinarians last March.”
“The successful reopening of this vital market is testament to the ongoing work of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure that Irish exporters will have access to as many global markets as possible”, he added.
“We cannot underestimate the importance of the food sector to the Irish economy and I remain committed to ensuring that Department and I, together with Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs, will continue to actively work together in order to make this goal a reality”, concluded Minister Killeen.
Following the reopening of the Tunisian market to Irish beef in April, a veterinary health certificate has now been agreed which will permit the export of sheep meat from Ireland to Tunisia.
A certificate, which allows the export of live cattle from Ireland to Morocco was agreed by both countries last month and a Veterinary Health Certificate for the export of Irish beef to Morocco was ratified this week.
Irish beef from animals aged under 48 months will now be allowed into Morocco without BSE testing and beef from animals over 48 months, which have tested negative for BSE, will also be approved. This is the same testing regime, which applies to beef exports destined for the EU.
Reacting to the news, Minister Killeen said: “This market has been closed to Ireland for almost a decade and a half and its reopening follows a successful visit to Ireland by a delegation of senior Moroccan veterinarians last March.”
“The successful reopening of this vital market is testament to the ongoing work of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure that Irish exporters will have access to as many global markets as possible”, he added.
“We cannot underestimate the importance of the food sector to the Irish economy and I remain committed to ensuring that Department and I, together with Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs, will continue to actively work together in order to make this goal a reality”, concluded Minister Killeen.
Following the reopening of the Tunisian market to Irish beef in April, a veterinary health certificate has now been agreed which will permit the export of sheep meat from Ireland to Tunisia.
