Senator D’Arcy welcomes sale of Irish beef to the USA and to China

Fine Gael Senator for Louth, Jim D’Arcy has welcomed the sale of Irish beef to the USA for the first time since the BSE crisis of the 1990s. Ireland will become the first European country to sell Irish beef to the USA since the late 1990s.

“This reflects the quality of beef produced in Ireland. As we all know Irish beef is predominantly grass fed, without the addition of artificial hormones as used in the USA. I have no doubt that our naturally fed beef will be a huge hit with the American market.

“This deal would not have been possible was it not for the momentous efforts made by beef farmers in conjunction with Bord Bia and the great efforts made by the for Agriculture, Simon Coveney over the past number of years, with the sole goal of producing the best beef products anywhere in the world.

“The beef sector has suffered over the past 24 months in particular, with low prices affecting the market. This new market for our beef will undoubtedly play a part in creating sustainable incomes for farming families.

“I am also delighted to see that beef prices have started strongly in the factories so far this year and with the continuous emergence of new markets like China, I am confident that beef prices will remain strong long into 2015. The prices in the ring have also been reported as strong with three quarter breed continental steers making in excess of €1,000 along with their weight.

“I have spoken with a number of beef producers over the past number of weeks and they have told me they are confident that 2015 will be a good year for their sector.

“It is also important for beef farmers with carcasses over 400kg to bear in mind at this time that they may be best off to shop around as some factories are penalising the quality assured bonus for heavier animals.”