Phil Hogan: Beef to China in 2016

Six of Europe’s largest beef producing countries could resume shipments to China by the end of this year, EU Farm Commissioner Phil Hogan indicated during a visit to Beijing last week.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said significant progress has been made towards access to the Chinese market for Irish beef, with the lifting of the BSE ban by China in February 2015, and an inspection visit by a delegation from the Chinese government’s AQSIQ agency to Ireland in January 2016.

Mr Coveney said the US market took 700 tonnes with a value of €6m of Irish beef in the first three months of this year, and 1,800 tonnes worth €14m in 2015.