A team of Chinese veterinary officials will visit Ireland in July, the Irish Farmers Journal can reveal.

It is expected to be the last major hurdle in securing Irish beef access to the lucrative Chinese beef market.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands the visit will last two days and between two and four plants will be inspected. As many as 25 processing facilities have applied to the Department of Agriculture seeking approval to be inspected. Should the visit be successful, it is expected to be just a matter of time before full clearance is given by Chinese authorities for the importation of Irish beef.

China is importing a vast quantity of beef. In 2013, it imported just over 400,000t of beef and this figure is forecast to rise to 900,000t this year.

With Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed signing a protocol on beef with his Chinese counterpart just last month and this development regarding the veterinary inspections, there is a sense of optimism that Irish beef could be on sale in China this year.

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