Ambassador Paul Kavanagh was the most recent Irish ambassador to China and he told RTÉ’s The Business radio programme on Saturday morning that he believes Irish beef could be on sale in China this year.

“There has been a very longstanding effort at political, diplomatic and administrative level (to open the Chinese market for Irish beef).

“I believe we are in the last furlong before the Chinese market is reopened to Irish beef.

“The Chinese government has told us that Ireland will lead the way and Ireland will be the first European country to re-enter the Chinese market in beef and they have told the other European partners to ‘cool their jets’ for a while.

"They are going to establish the framework with Ireland."

Kavanagh was aware of the recent visit of Chinese inspectors to Irish meat plants and he understands it was successful.

“Last week, we had what I believe was the final inspection visit of Irish meat plants and we will await the outcome report of the Chinese inspectors.

“On this basis, hopefully before the end of the year, the final stage will have been reached and you will find Irish beef on the tables in China.”

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that Department of Agriculture officials are planning a further trip to China this year following the recent inspection of Irish plants before the market can open.

This is another step in Irish beef getting access to China. The process has been under way since China lifted the ban on Irish beef in 2015. China had banned all EU beef in 2000 over BSE.

Dairy paves the way

Ambassador Kavanagh served as the Irish representative in China from September 2013 until recent weeks. He is now being posted as the Irish ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and takes up the position this week.

He said the success of Irish dairy exports to China has helped smooth the way for progress in the beef trade.

Former Irish Ambassador to China Paul Kavanagh (centre). Department of Foreign Affairs

“In the beginning of 2014, technical inspectors inspected Irish dairy plants.

“There were 12 other countries, our competitors, in Europe, north America and Australasia inspected. Irish industry was the only one to receive the full marks, a clean bill of health. That outcome of the Chinese inspections went through the Chinese industry like bolt.

“It’s from then that you have seen the inflection point, the huge increase in dairy exports,” he said,

Read more

Exports to China up 25% in 2016

China to overtake the US as the largest dairy market by 2022

Surge in beef export sales outside EU