Minister defends his initial US beef sales predictions

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has defended his predictions of Irish beef sales to the US since the market re-opened this year. Having fallen far below his expectations he says it “takes time” to build up interest.

The senior Fine Gael figure rejected criticism that just 31 tonnes have been exported to the north American market since it re-opened in early spring for the first time in 15 years, despite his predictions of 20,000 tonnes being sold a year.

Speaking on RTÉ radio, the Cork South Central TD accepted he outlined the initial target alongside a hope it could eventually bring in an annual €100m to the economy. He said it “takes time” to build a base.