Chinese agriculture vice-minister to visit export-approved beef plant

Chinese agriculture vice-minister Gao Hongbin is to visit an export-approved beef plant today as part of a formal tour in which “significant” progress has been made in food trade talks between the two countries.

Mr Gao confirmed that Chinese authorities intend to send a full technical team to Ireland in the next four weeks to examine the controls applying to beef production.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney expressed confidence the Irish control system would provide the necessary reassurances to the Chinese experts.