Efforts ongoing to open beef markets

GOVERNMENT efforts to open new markets for Irish beef continue, according to Minister Mary Coughlan.

She said determined efforts by her department, together with Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs, led to the recent re-opening of the Saudi Arabian and South African markets for Irish beef. This will impact on similar markets. Russia, Egypt and Algeria are also open and there has been a partial opening of the United Arab Emirates market.

“Discussions are well advanced with a number of countries including Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan. A market access group has also been established to facilitate, through all means possible, trade in Irish meat to non-EU markets,” she said.