Ireland’s US bid to reopen trading channels for beef and lamb exports

Ireland has made progress in its bid to reopen trading channels to the US for Irish beef and lamb exports.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney had positive talks yesterday with US Department of Agriculture (USDA) secretary Thomas Vilsack in relation to Irish beef being welcomed back into the US market. The US is to reclassify several beef-producing countries, including Ireland, which were restricted following the European outbreak of BSE in 2010.

These new draft rules and regulations should soon pave the way for Irish beef to be sold again on the potentially lucrative US market. The USDA is analysing public consultation in relation to the BSE Rule, which is intended to align American BSE classifications with international standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health.

Mr Coveney said: “I fully expect that the process currently under way will ultimately lead to Irish beef access to the United States. I am confident that the quality of the product we have to offer, together with tremendously positive reputation Ireland enjoys among consumers in the United States, means that the opening of the US market can provide important business opportunities for the Irish beef industry.”

He also sought assur-ances that a similar rule permitting Irish lamb exports would be introduced without delay. He advised Mr Vilsack that Irish operators have a keen interest in gaining access to the US market for Irish lamb, and urged him to begin the consultation process on import rules for ovines and caprines as soon as possible.

Mr Coveney also met Michael Taylor, the deputy commissioner for food at the Food and Drug Administration to highlight some concerns on the recently introduced Food Safety and Modernisation Act which has the possibility to impact on Irish food importers. Ireland’s food production standards and EU Food Law in presenting a case that Ireland be considered a “privileged partner”.

Speaking after his meetings on Capitol Hill, Mr Coveney said: “My visit to Washington has proved an excellent opportunity to not only bring Irish agri-food companies to the forefront of the minds of Washington’s legislators and agri-food leaders, but also to reaffirm the productive working trade relationship Ireland enjoys with the United States.

“I am confident that the bridges we are building here will ultimately pay dividends for the Irish agri-food sector.”

Mr Coveney will now continue on to Chicago, where focus will shift to foreign direct investment with leaders of the Irish agri-food diaspora.