Algeria is reopening its market to French dairy heifers and fattening cattle. News that was welcomed in France in the context of warming relations between the two countries.
It also occurs at a time when Algeria is seeking to develop its milk production to reduce imports of milk powder.
“After long months of mobilization on the part of the French authorities and the bovine interprofessional, the Algerian market is open again for our sector”, reacted the French Minister of Agriculture and Food Julien Denormandie, in a press release published on Tuesday 18 January.
The Minister hailed “excellent news” which “testifies to a reactivated and solid dialogue with the Algerian authorities, recognizing, in particular, the quality and know-how of our cattle farms”.
Julien Denormandie argued that the resumption by Algeria of French imports of heifers and fattening cattle “will allow French companies to meet the needs of the Algerian market in live bovine animals intended for meat production”.
This measure will also allow French companies to “contribute to the reconstruction of a dairy industry in Algeria”, according to the minister.
According to the specialized site France Agricole, the reopening of the Algerian market to male fattening cattle and French dairy heifers has other good news: the “specifications have been lightened”.
Thus, Algeria has decided to authorize the temporary importation, between January and March, of fattening cattle aged up to 18 months. Then, only cattle with a maximum age of 14 months and a maximum weight of 450 kg will be allowed.
Streamlined conditions
For dairy heifers, the conditions set are age between 18 and 42 months and a minimum weight of 480 kg. “The maximum age limit is extended to 42 months, against 34 previously, which will offer a wider range of choices”, indicated Michel Fénéon, president of the import-export commission at the French Federation of traders in cattle (FFCB).
Fébéon told the same media that Algeria suspended imports of French heifers in October following the diplomatic crisis between the two countries, a consequence of President Emmanuel Macron’s remarks on colonization and the Algerian system.
After more than two months of freezing cold, relations between the two countries have started to warm up, following the visit to Algiers in early December by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
Then, the Algerian ambassador in Paris, who was recalled on Saturday, October 2 following Macron’s remarks, returned to his post in early January, marking the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
