China has formally lifted a ban on importing Irish beef, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has revealed at the Fine Gael party conference in Castlebar.
The announcement comes shortly after the lifting of a ban on Irish beef exports to the United States after more than 15 years.
Describing it as a fantastic breakthrough for the sector, Mr Kenny told his party conference it meant Ireland would be the only European country to be approved for both the US and Chinese markets.
Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has welcomed the move, which he says follows "intensive political, technical and diplomatic engagement" with China.
Delighted to announce we have reached agreement with China on lifting ban on Irish beef. Much credit to @simoncoveney & Agri sector #fgnc15
— Enda Kenny (@EndaKennyTD) February 20, 2015Mr Coveney said his department would be continuing its engagement with the Chinese authorities to ensure that this process is concluded as soon as possible.
Irish agri-food exports to China in 2014 were valued at almost €620m, according to CSO figures.
Mr Coveney said Chinese beef consumption is estimated at approximately six million tonnes per annum and is expected to grow by over one million tonnes over the next five years.
While there has been a formal lifting of a ban, exports of beef to China will not begin until protocol is established to determine which cuts of meat can be exported and the agreement of a veterinary certificate.
This will be followed by a Chinese veterinary inspection to approve individual processing plants for export.
IFA President Eddie Downey has welcomed the announcement, saying the potential of the Chinese market could be very significant.
Bord Bia welcomes the return of #Irishbeef to China & will look to exploit market opportunities with Irish exporters pic.twitter.com/0Vqa3FWpmQ
— Irish Food Board (@Bordbia) February 20, 2015GLAS scheme to open to applicants on Monday
Meanwhile, Mr Coveney also announced the €1.4 billon GLAS agri-environment is to open to applicants on Monday.
The scheme will provide an annual payment of up to €5,000 to eligible farmers in return for environmental commitments, with an additional €2,000 per annum for those in GLAS+, which requires "exceptional environmental commitment".
30,000 farmers will be able to join phase one of the scheme, with scope for a further 20,000 farmers to join in later tranches of the scheme.
The scheme, which is co-funded by the EU, aims to deliver benefits to the rural environment, focusing in particular on the preservation of habitats and species, climate change mitigation, and water quality.
