Irish lamb could soon be on US menus after agreement was reached with the US Department of Agriculture to allow Irish sheep meat plants formally apply for export permits.
The news comes as Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue begins a week long agri-food trade mission to the United States and Mexico.
Last December, after 22 years, the US ended restrictions on sheep and goat imports from the EU and since then Irish officials have worked with their US counterparts to put export protocols for Irish sheep meat in place.
Those efforts were successful and processors in Ireland can now apply for plant approval to start selling into the US.
As he embarked on the trade mission, Mr McConalogue said there is huge potential for sheep exports to the US and a priority for the mission will be developing that market for Irish sheep farmers.
The minister is being accompanied by department officials and officials from Irish food marketing and promotion body Bord Bia.
The US is now the second largest destination for Irish food and drink exports, with a growing trade worth €1.3 billion.
During the week, while visiting Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, and Washington DC, Mr McConalogue will meet with global fast food giant McDonald's, dairy industry leaders and the US Secretary of Agriculture.
Minister of State Martin Heydon, who is also on the trip, will meet with key retailers in Texas, before travelling to Mexico City where he will meet the Mexican Secretary for Agriculture.
