Huge opportunities for beef farmers in China – Heydon

Fine Gael TD for Kildare South and Chair of Fine Gael’s Internal Committee on Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Martin Heydon, has today (Monday) welcomed the news from the Irish trade mission to China, marking a major step forward in opening up the export of Irish beef to that country.

“Beef farmers will be really encouraged to learn that the Government led trade mission to China has agreed a major step forward in opening up the export of beef to that country. I know times have been tough for beef farmers recently but this is a really positive news; the opening up of the Chinese market will mean huge opportunities for the sale of Irish beef.

“Minister Coveney has now arranged for a formal inspection team to come from China to Ireland in December, following intensive negotiations between the two Governments over the last two years. Moves are also afoot to open up the sheepmeat market in China.

“We already sell €40 million of cattle hides into China and we now want to be the first European country selling beef to China. There are 1.3 billion people in there who are increasingly looking to foreign imports as a source of good quality, safe food.

“This means huge opportunities for Irish beef farmers in China. In addition to this, the upcoming opening of the US market to Irish beef means there will be a sustainable and positive future for our Irish beef exports.”