This means that NI factories will be able to export pork to China if they undertake remedial actions that were noted by the Chinese certification agency, CNCA, during inspections undertaken in April 2015, and are subsequently listed on the CNCA website.

Minister O’Neill said that her officials were working with the two pig processors in NI to ensure the actions are carried out quickly and to a high standard.

In April 2015, a separate delegation of Chinese inspectors visited the NI factories to audit for additional pork products for export.

DARD expects Chinese approval for export of pig’s trotters and other products that are not readily consumable on the domestic market in the coming months.

The announcement will be welcomed by many in the pig sector. In September, the Ulster Farmers’ Union said that during talks with processors, not having access to the Chinese market was blamed as the reason for poor prices for farmers and an approximate £10 price differential between Britain and NI.

It has been estimated that access to the Chinese market for products such as offal could add 3p/kg to 5p/kg to the price paid to NI farmers as more value is added to the carcase.

Speaking about recent trade missions to China, Minister O’Neill said: “This welcome step forward follows my third visit to China in June which was focused on negotiating these vital pork approvals. I am pleased that my efforts have borne fruit.”