Phil Hogan hails move as US lifts French beef ban
It followed similar recent decisions by Washington in relation to beef imports from Ireland, Lithuania, and the Netherlands.
The US market was closed to beef, sheep, and goats from the EU in 1998, following the BSE crisis in some member states.
Mr Hogan said the latest US decision regarding beef imports was excellent news for French producers.
He said the commission continues to work with all parties concerned to ensure that in the near future all EU member states will have equal access to the US market.
“This decision of the United States clearly demonstrates what we can achieve by having an open and constructive relationship with one of our most important trading partners,” he said.
Meanwhile, the beef trade in Ireland is finely balanced, according to the Irish Farmers Association livestock committee chairman Angus Woods.
He said last week’s kill was 32,119 with some factories finding it is very difficult to get cattle — especially over the weekend and early yesterday.
