China’s top beef buyers on way

Meat Industry Ireland (MII) will work with its members and the Department of Agriculture to ensure plant audits move ahead as swiftly as possible, following the Chinese decision to re-open its market to Irish beef after an absence of 15 years.

MII sources said, “While we understand that the lifting of the ban relates to beef from under 30 months old cattle, MII will be pushing to ensure that the access relates to bone-in and boneless beef and also to beef offals. Increasing the age threshold will also be important.”

A Bord Bia agreement with the China Meat Association, has enabled Irish exporters to engage with potential buyers. Exporters also took part in the Bord Bia organised trade missions to China in April, 2012 and November, 2014.