Irish cattle can currently meet the animal health requirements necessary to fulfil the bilaterally agreed veterinary health certificate with Algeria, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed to Agriland this evening (Monday, November 2).

The confirmation from DAFM comes in the wake of last week's news that Algeria has "temporarily closed" for imports of cattle.

The news of the market closing last week came as a shock to many stakeholders in the Irish cattle trade as Algeria has been a key market destination for Irish-based weanling exporters this year.

While DAFM has said that Irish cattle can meet the criteria for the Algerian health cert, Agriland understands that it remains unclear if animals could actually be unloaded at the destination port if transported to Algeria.

DAFM said: "Live export of cattle is a commercial activity.

"While the department engages with third countries in agreeing the terms of export health certificates, any decisions on destination market are exclusively a matter for the commercial operator."

It is understood the decision by Algeria to "temporarily close" store and weanling cattle imports was made following concerns regarding the potential emergence of a new serotype of the foot-and-mouth disease virus.

On Monday evening (November 2) DAFM reaffirmed to Agriland that it "has not received any official information from Algeria to state that they have imposed a ban on livestock imports".

The department said that it "continues to seek engagement with the relevant authorities in Algeria".

By Sunday, October 18, Irish cattle exports to Algeria had increased by over 70% to over 7,100 head - driven predominantly by strong demand for Irish weanlings from the north African country.

Exports to Morocco were also up 40%, to reach 3,800 head.

In relation to health certificates for Irish cattle travelling to Morocco, DAFM said: "Ireland currently has bilaterally agreed veterinary health certificates in place for export of cattle to other third countries, including Morocco."