Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’Donovan, today welcomed the decision of the Lebanese authorities to fully re-open its market to Irish beef, sheep meat and cooked meats.
Patrick O’Donovan said that the decision to reopen the markets came as a result of work which has been led by Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney together with officials in his Department and the Embassy of Ireland in Cairo.
Irish beef exports showed strong growth in 2013, with volumes increasing by 4% and value increasing by 10% to reach €2.1 billion. Sheep meat exports also grew in 2013, with volumes increasing by 3% and value increasing by 4% to reach €220 million.
Patrick O’Donovan said that “the opening of the Lebanese market is a further boost for Irish agricultural produce and yet another success for Minister Coveney. It is a market with great potential for Irish exporters as Lebanon currently imports 60% of beef into a domestic market worth €100m annually.”
Patrick O’Donovan concluded his remarks by saying “2013 was a record year in terms of exports of food from Ireland. The opening of new markets like Lebanon is a key part of growing that industry further, and it is vital for farm families across the country and particularly in counties like Limerick which rely so heavily on agriculture, that that market development continues.”