Tony Killeen T.D., minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with special responsibility for fisheries and forestry, has expressed confidence that Irish beef exports to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will resume in the near future. The Clare T.D.'s comment follows an announcement by his ministerial colleague Brendan Smith TD, minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, that an agreement has been reached on export conditions for Irish beef going to the country. Commenting on the background to this week's agreement, Minister Killeen said “agreement in principle to resume exports was reached in October 2007 and was subject to the approval of plants and export conditions. This was followed by a visit by a veterinary delegation from Saudi Arabia in March this year to inspect plants and discuss the terms under which exports could take place. In the meantime there have been related contacts and discussions between the two countries.” The junior agriculture minister explained that the agreement paves the way for the resumption of beef exports to this important and valuable market. The Saudi Arabian market was closed to Irish beef following the disclosure of BSE in Europe in 2000. Exports in the previous year amounted to 25,000 tons, valued at an estimated 33 million euros. Minister Killeen added that the terms of the agreement allowed for the export of boneless beef from animals under 30 months. “This positive news is a further affirmation of the very high food safety standards operated in Ireland and the resultant international confidence in our product,” he added.
