Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress he is making on the resumption of the live export trade to the Middle East and North Africa, Libya, Lebanon, Egypt; the position regarding veterinary certificates for live cattle to these markets; the availability and certification of boats suitable for transport to these markets; when he expects exports to resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55974/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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While the three markets in question are open to exports of live cattle from Ireland, no trade is currently taking place. The question of when trade will begin is dependent on a number of factors, including commercial factors such as price and demand and the availability and cost of suitable sea transport. My Department has made every effort to facilitate ship approval and I am hopeful that a ship will be approved early in the New Year. Other non-EU countries open to cattle from Ireland and to which trade is taking place are Kazakhstan, Morocco and Tunisia.