Smith welcomes lifting of Indonesian ban on Irish beef

A DECISION by the Indonesian authorities to lift the ban on the importation of Irish beef, which has been in place since 2001, has been welcomed by Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith.

Exports of Irish beef to Indonesia in the year the ban was imposed for BSE-related reasons exceeded 24,000 tonnes, worth over €28.5 million.

The market is being reopened under conditions recommended by Indonesian experts who visited Ireland last June. These include a requirement that the meat originate from cattle under 48 months of age.

Initially, access is being limited to four plants that were inspected in June, but the possibility of approving other plants remains open.

Mr Smith said the re-opening of the market reflected intensive efforts by the Government.

“This is a very welcome decision as Indonesia has proved to be a valuable market for Irish beef in the past.

“The decision by the competent authorities in Indonesia to re-open their market to Irish beef was taken following a detailed examination of the rigorous controls applied and reflects the high standards of food safety controls in place in Ireland,” he said.

Mr Smith said his department, together with Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs, would continue their efforts to improve market access for Irish meat.