Coughlan launches Asian beef mission

AN initiative to open markets for Irish beef in south-east Asia has been launched by Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan.

A senior delegation from her department and Bord Bia is this week visiting Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore. The Department of Foreign Affairs is also participating.

Ms Coughlan said the move follows positive contacts with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa as part of a renewed drive to ensure full access for Irish beef to various markets.

Indonesia imported 25,000 tonnes of Irish beef (then valued at €33m) prior to the BSE scare elsewhere in the EU in 2000. Trade to Philippines had surpassed 12,000 tonnes by 1999.