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Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has said that he is not privy to the details of the agreements under which Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay export beef to China and if they were allowed to export beef over 30 months there.
“The ‘under 30-month’ requirement in the beef protocol between Ireland and China was stipulated by Chinese authorities.
“I am not privy to the details of the agreements under which Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay export beef to China.
Stringent demands
“My Department works continuously on expanding market access for Irish meat and meat products across a range of markets. Where there are stringent technical demands for the export of meat to a third country, my Department seeks to continue negotiations with such countries to remove or reduce the impact of the requirement,” he said in response to a parliamentary question from Jackie Cahill this week.
He said his Department has spent many years working closely with the Chinese authorities in order to secure beef access to this important market.
“This work included inward and outward trade missions, inspection visits, and various bilateral contacts with officials in relevant Chinese ministries,” he said.
Factories
Some 21 Irish factories have been approved by China to date to export beef and currently, the Chinese market is only available for frozen beef from cattle under 30 months.
“This is the strongest endorsement possible of Irish food safety standards. We were the first country in western Europe to achieve access to the Chinese market and now it is clear that our plants are meeting the high and exacting standards of the Chinese authorities," Minister Creed said.
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