Good news for Meath farmers as China beef ban to be lifted – Butler

Fine Gael TD for Meath West, Ray Butler, has said today (Monday) that the lifting of the Chinese ban on Irish beef is good news for farmers in Meath.

“This announcement follows the successful visit by the Agriculture Minister, Simon Coveney TD, to China last November.  It follows on intensive political, technical and diplomatic engagement with the Chinese authorities over several years. The value of agri-food exports from Ireland to China, including Hong Kong, amounted to almost €620 million last year, an increase of almost two and a half times the level of exports in 2011. 

“Increasing demand for beef in China means there is great potential for high quality steak cuts and for traceable manufacturing beef for the expanding fast food sector.  This announcement will help Irish operators and farmers to get a share of that growing market.

“The next step in the process will determine which cuts can be exported and the agreement of a veterinary certificate. This will be followed by a Chinese veterinary inspection to approve individual processing plants for export. Minister Coveney said that his Department would be continuing its technical engagement with the Chinese authorities to ensure that this process is concluded as soon as possible.

“The Chinese decision follows the lifting of the ban on Irish beef exports to the United States and clearly demonstrates the Government’s intense focus on the agriculture and food sector as a key part of the economic recovery is yielding strong results.”