The Irish meat industry is set to gain from a huge beef shortage in continental Europe, an international conference in Dublin on meat production has been told.
The conference heard that because of improved levels of beef consumption, a lessening of consumers' fears about BSE and a cutback in cattle numbers in the EU, there is now a one million tonne shortage of beef in Europe.
The deficit has allowed Ireland to sell more beef into the higher-priced European markets. Over 85% of Irish beef is now exported to the UK and the rest of Europe - twice as much as a decade ago.
Nearly 400 beef experts from all over Europe are attending a two-day forum on the beef trade, organised by the food promotion agency, Bord Bia.
Bord Bia expert Padraig Brennan said the Irish industry is well positioned to further increase exports to continental Europe.
Mr Brennan said that Irish farmers are able to produce meat to specific European tastes as well as providing healthy, convenient and value-for-money products.
Speaking at the conference on the increase in obesity, Danish nutritionist Dr Arne Astrup said that replacing carbohydrates such as bread and pasta with meat and dairy products can improve weight loss.
