Farm groups applaud benefits of Chinese visit

Farmer representative groups said the visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Agriculture Minister Han Changfu is a marketing coup for Irish agri-food.

IFA president Eddie Downey said the Government should seize this opportunity to fast-track access for Irish beef following the decision by the Chinese authorities earlier this year to lift the ban in place on European beef.

He said the goodwill after the weekend visit can also be used as an opportunity to increase the penetration of Ireland’s dairy, pigmeat, lamb and other agricultural exports to China.