Irish beef has the advantage of being first to get access to the US market and it looks as though other EU countries will not get access to the market for “a good few months”.

Speaking to RTÉ radio programme Morning Ireland on Wednesday, EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan said other European countries are attempting to get access to the US market but Ireland remains in poll position by being in first. Hogan was speaking prior to a meeting with US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Countries such as Lithuania, the UK, France and the Netherlands are currently working the veterinary and inspection processes which Ireland had to do in order to get access to the US market.

“They will (the other countries can get access) if they get the necessary certification. However, that could be a good few months away,” Commissioner Hogan said.

Hogan added that “submissions are being made” by those countries but that the “Irish are at a big advantage in 2015”.