Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has announced that Irish access to the Chinese market for livestock hides and skins has been resumed.
It comes following a temporary pause in trade on foot of the recent outbreak of bluetongue in Co Wexford.
“I welcome the resumption of Irish exports of livestock hides and skins to China. This is an important and valuable market for Irish industry and I know that the temporary pause in trade which had followed the detection of bluetongue in Co Wexford had been a major cause for concern.
“I want to acknowledge and thank our Chinese counterparts for their engagement on this matter and also the officials in Ireland and in our embassy in Beijing who have been working hard on this issue,” the Minister said
Department officials are still working on regaining Irish beef access to the market.
Trade disruption
While bluetongue virus has no public health or food safety impact, its recent detection in Ireland has resulted in a number of trade disruptions.
The Department of Agriculture said it is is continuing to engage closely to address and resolve these points with counterparts in other countries.
Locked out
On 28 January, the Irish Farmers Journal revealed that Irish beef access to China had been temporarily revoked following the case of bluetongue in the southeast.
The suspension came just a week and a half after an Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced that the market had reopened for Irish exports following a ban since October 2024.
Read more
China is not happening for Irish beef
Chinese market closed for Irish beef due to bluetongue
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has announced that Irish access to the Chinese market for livestock hides and skins has been resumed.
It comes following a temporary pause in trade on foot of the recent outbreak of bluetongue in Co Wexford.
“I welcome the resumption of Irish exports of livestock hides and skins to China. This is an important and valuable market for Irish industry and I know that the temporary pause in trade which had followed the detection of bluetongue in Co Wexford had been a major cause for concern.
“I want to acknowledge and thank our Chinese counterparts for their engagement on this matter and also the officials in Ireland and in our embassy in Beijing who have been working hard on this issue,” the Minister said
Department officials are still working on regaining Irish beef access to the market.
Trade disruption
While bluetongue virus has no public health or food safety impact, its recent detection in Ireland has resulted in a number of trade disruptions.
The Department of Agriculture said it is is continuing to engage closely to address and resolve these points with counterparts in other countries.
Locked out
On 28 January, the Irish Farmers Journal revealed that Irish beef access to China had been temporarily revoked following the case of bluetongue in the southeast.
The suspension came just a week and a half after an Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced that the market had reopened for Irish exports following a ban since October 2024.
Read more
China is not happening for Irish beef
Chinese market closed for Irish beef due to bluetongue
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