Trade

Suspension of Irish beef exports to China ‘another blow’ to industry

Irish Farmers’ Association expressed confidence that the pause will not impact Ireland’s status as a livestock exporter

Cattle: Ireland exports more than 90 per cent of the beef it produces and is reliant on the reputation of its food safety systems. Picture: Getty

The suspension of Irish beef exports to China is “just another blow” to the industry, but won’t have any long-term implications on Ireland’s status as a livestock exporter, the chair of the Irish Farmers’ Association National Livestock Committee has said.

The news of China placing a halt on Irish beef exports came last night after the detection of a confirmed case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease, in a 10.5-year-old ...