Negotiations aimed at reopening the beef trade with Libya have been going on in Paris at SIAL, the most important food fair in the European calendar. The event, which attracts buyers from all over the world, was the venue for negotiations between officials from Tripoli and the Irish beef trade.
When the Libyans ceased buying Irish beef as a result of the BSE scare in 1996, the trade was worth around £100 million, mainly of live cattle.
Since then there have been intense diplomatic and trade negotiations to have the market opened again, and it was reported earlier this year that trading would begin again this autumn.
However, that did not happen, and it is understood the Libyans are now more interested in buying beef rather than live cattle.
All the Irish beef exporters are at the fair, including Mr Larry Goodman of AIBP and Mr Dan Browne, managing director of Dawn Meats, and representatives from Kepak and the other major beef-processing firms, 13 in all.
On Sunday the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mr Walsh, arrived in Paris to officially open the Irish stand. He had a brief meeting with his French counterpart, Mr Jean Glavany.
Mr Walsh told journalists he would be fighting the EU ruling that a £1 million grant to a ferry company, Celtic Ferries, two years ago would have to be repaid because it broke single market rules.
He said he would not attempt to recover the money from farmers who had used the service.
In all there are 21 exhibitors representing 35 Irish companies at the food fair.
Ms Tara McCarthy, Bord Bia's manager for the French market, said in Paris yesterday that her main job was to communicate Ireland's capability as a supplier of high-quality food and drink, improve client and customer relations and create new buyer contacts.