The Minister for Agriculture defended his attempts to reopen the live cattle trade to Egypt and Libya.
Mr Walsh said his initiatives had persuaded the Egyptian authorities to consider accepting a trial shipment of live cattle from Ireland. The formulation of a proposal to allay the concerns of the Egyptian authorities would involve a veterinary and engineering assessment of quarantine and slaughtering facilities in Egypt.
In November a proposal, drawn up by the Department along with the Irish Livestock Exporters Association, was forwarded to the Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture, Dr Wally. "This proposal is now being considered by the Egyptian authorities and I am monitoring developments very closely," he added.
As for Libya, diplomatic and political contact to have the ban lifted continued, he said.