THE Minister for Agriculture, Mr Yates, is heading a delegation to the AgroFood Fair in Cairo in an attempt to resume the live cattle trade which has been worth over £100 million in recent years. The live trade with Egypt was worth £65 million in 1996 despite two interruptions.
In December, the Egyptians banned the import of live cattle from Ireland because of rising BSE figures. The ending of the trade is an important element in a series of factors which have led to a slump in cattle prices to a 20 year low.
This is partially because meat factories now face no competition in the markets, currency fluctuations, cuts in the rate of EU export refunds and falling EU consumption because of BSE. The factories say any ban on Irish cattle reflects on the entire trade and they, too, wish to see the live trade resumed.
The price crisis has created problems for Mr Yates as the farm organisations are making cattle prices an election issue.
The Fianna Fail agriculture spokesman, Mr Joe Walsh, described the Mr Yates's Egyptian trip as a last minute stunt.
In Cairo, Mr Yates will meet his opposite number, Prof Youssuf Wally, who is supporting the fair, the first of its kind to be held in Cairo. Mr Yates may also meet President Mubarak who is expected to visit the fair at which eight Irish meat and livestock companies are participating.
Mr Yates will officially open the Irish stand and will host a reception tomorrow night for Irish beef exporters and for Egyptian beef customers. All the main figures in the beef industry will be in Cairo tomorrow where the resumption of the live trade would solve many problems.