Coveney on major beef promotion mission in US

The Agriculture Minister is leading beef producers on a trade mission to the US - to mark the opening of the market to Irish products for the first time in 15 years.

The visit - which will take in New York, Washington and Boston - follows the end of the American embargo on European beef - which was introduced at the height of the BSE crisis.

Ireland is the first country to gain access to the US market since the ban ended. Minister Simon Coveney said Irish beef is well positioned to take advantage.

"We'll be … raising the profile of Iris beef and what it has to offer," he said.

"This is a premium product, and we will be looking to enter the premium end of the market here,, which is high-priced beef, high-quality cuts that are sustainable, safe, and natural."

Despite the Minister's optimism, the President of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association said he has concerns about the mission.

Patrick Kent says it's a "distraction" from the core issue of beef prices at Irish factories.

"I'd be very very worried that it was used as a pawn to get in cheap cheap American junk food into the European market.

I wouldn't hold me breath about it - we've seen these announcement before ... a lot of these trade missions go on.

"Until I see a price rise to the farmers at meat factory level, I will not be holding my breath."