Chinese inspectors will begin a two-week factory inspection in Ireland next week.

Inspectors from the China State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) will visit up to eight beef exporting factories plus a dairy factory, pig factory and knackery.

While details of the inspections are still being finalised, the Irish Farmers Journal understands the Chinese delegation will visit Kepak Clonee; Kildare Chilling; ABP plants in Clones and Nenagh; Slaney Foods International; Dawn Charleville; Dunleavy Meats; and Liffey Meats.

The pig factory is understood to be McCarren Meats, while a visit to a beef farm is also on the cards.

With current Chinese approval for Irish dairy products nearing an end, a trip to Belview is also mooted for the delegation.

Factory approval

There is still uncertainty if the certificate will just cover the specific factories inspected, the entire groups or if in fact it will extend to include all Irish beef.

In New Zealand, the individual factories seeking approval have to be inspected and certified by AQSIQ.

If the inspections go according to plan, it will be the final leg in the long process to secure access to the lucrative Chinese beef market that began with an announcement on lifting the BSE ban on Ireland in February 2015.

A protocol was finalised and signed by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and Minister Zhi Shuping, who has responsibility for AQSIQ, in Dublin in April.

The Chinese market has the potential to be the most lucrative export destination for Ireland outside the EU.

It is a major market for dairy produce and the second most important market for pig meat, growing from 1,000t in 2007 to 65,000t last year.

Singapore

Meanwhile, Ireland has secured a new agreement with Singapore on beef access.

A new beef export certificate includes boneless beef from cattle of all ages and bone-in beef from under 30-month cattle.

The previous certificate was limited to boneless beef from under 30-month animals.

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