Strong EU demand for Irish beef predicted

IRISH beef exports in 2006 could match the half million tonnes achieved in 2000, mark this year, according to Bord Bia.

Officials at the food export board believe that strong EU beef consumption provides the basis for stable trading in 2006, despite several major unpredictable market factors.

They predict an EU-15 beef shortfall of 350,000 tonnes between production and consumption, even after allowing for increased cow beef supplies from the UK.