Walsh announces end of Bahrain ban

The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Joe Walsh has today announced that Bahrain has lifted its restrictions on the import of Irish beef.

The ban had been in place since January 2001.

Minister Walsh said the reopening of the Bahraini market comes as a result of intensive efforts by the Department of Foreign Affairs and An Bord Bia over the past two years.

While Bahrain is not a large volume market, it is nevertheless a significant development for Irish beef exports in the Gulf region and the Minister expressed the hope other States in the Gulf region will follow suit.