This week last year, Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney was leading Irish industry and farming representatives on a launch of Irish beef on to the US market. Ireland was the first EU country since the BSE export ban to do business and 20,000t was indicated as a first-year target.

Off target

It has not worked out that way, with approximately 2,000t leaving here for the US. By the time paperwork was finalised, it was March before the first commercial trade began and it was the summer before the approval was obtained for the six companies interested. However, it was the problem in securing a workable arrangement for the supply of manufacturing burger beef that has prevented the volume of sales achieving their potential, and this issue remains unsolved.

ADVERTISEMENT