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The Irish Farmers Journal understands that pigmeat exports to China from the Rosderra Meats plant in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, have been reapproved on Monday 5 October.
The Chinese authorities delisted the factory for export approval in June, a move which was thought to be in connection with the outbreak of COVID-19 in the plant.
Rosderra retained its export approval for China for its larger Edenderry plant throughout COVID-19.
IFA pig committee vice-chair Roy Gallie told the Irish Farmers Journal that the reapproval has potential to create higher returns for farmers.
"We have to compliment Rosderra for their efforts during this pandemic, keeping their case numbers low and prioritising the health of their staff.
"The Department of Agriculture has also done a huge body of work behind the scene negotiating with Chinese authorities. It has all come together just at the right time when we need avenue to get our product outside of Europe."
Export trends
Supporting over 7,000 jobs and ranking as the third most important sector in terms of gross agricultural output, the pigmeat sector is hugely important to the Irish economy.
According to Bord Bia, China is Ireland’s second-largest market for pigmeat. Last year, the value of exports to the country reached a record €176m. This accounted for 89,640t of pigmeat – a 44% increase compared with the previous year.
Animal health issues have also had a huge bearing on exports in recent years; in particular, the rapid spread of African swine fever (ASF) which hit China hard since the disease broke in autumn 2018.
Meanwhile, Longford pig processor Green Pasture Meat Processors has confirmed that it is has recorded its first cases of COVID-19 among staff since the pandemic began.
Director of Green Pasture Meat Processors Peter Davis told the Irish Farmers Journal: “These are the first cases at our plant since the pandemic began in Ireland. All necessary precautions have been taken to prevent further exposure to staff.
“Our primary focus, at this time, is to assist the work of the HSE and to support the recovery of those affected whilst continuing to prioritise the safety, health and wellbeing of our staff.”
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