THE beef and live cattle trade with Libya could be resumed by early winter, the Minister for Agriculture has predicted. The trade has been suspended since March 20th last, because of the BSE crisis.
On his return from Tripoli Mr "Yates said yesterday he was confident that it was not a matter of "if but when" the trade, which was worth over £70 million last year, would be resumed.
He said his confidence was because the Libyan authorities had agreed that 80 per cent of their requirements had been met.
The Minister said that a delegation of health and veterinary experts from Libya would arrive in Ireland soon to examine the safe guards which have been put in place.
He said the Libyans had agreed to defer their purchasing contracts until after the technical delegation visits Ireland. "If we stick to the schedule laid out I see no reason why trade should not flow in early winter," said Mr Yates.
At the press conference yesterday, the Minister also outlined how the £13.3 million in discretionary EU funds for compensation to Irish beef farmers would be distributed.
He said a flat rate payment of £50 per head would be paid on all steers and bulls slaughtered in licensed export premises between March 25th and June 9th last, and for heifers killed between March 25th and June 29th.
There would be a similar payment for heifers slaughtered in local abattoirs, but proof of previous ownership would be required if there were applications for over 40 animals.
He said that a flat rate of £50 would also be paid to farmers who exported live steers outside the EU from March 25th to June 9th.
Mr Yates said the package should benefit tens of thousands of farmers. This and recent increases announced in slaughter premiums should put £70 million into the pockets of those who suffered most.
The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association described the £70 million as "only a drop in the ocean".
Its president, Mr Frank Allen, said that dealers and agents who suffered no real losses because of the crisis would receive compensation, and that would be lost to the real losers, the farmers.
