USDA calls off ban on EU beef after 16 years
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has called off the ban placed on European beef op…The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has called off the ban placed on European beef opening the market for export after nearly 16 years.
The USDA had refrained imports of any EU beef, including deboned beef earlier in 1997 raising concerns over the BSE breakthrough.
The Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or usually called mad cow disease was struck largely among the UK cattle in 1996, after which the European Union (EU) banned exports of British beef with the US following the suite in 1997.
The EU had the ban lifted after a period of ten years in May 2006.
Welcoming the decision, the Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine Simon Coveney TD stated that the issue was one of his priorities when he visited the US last year and he pushed the matter strongly with US Department of Agriculture Secretary of State Tom Vilsack and in meetings with Senators.
"The decision provides an opportunity for Ireland to penetrate a sector of the US beef market which can reward top quality, sustainably produced beef.
"My officials will continue to engage with the USDA and Irish producers to finalise the various technical requirements to ensure commencement of the trade at the earliest possible date," added Coveney.
"I am confident that this market will grow strongly as US consumers realise the superior quality of Irish grass fed beef and the Irish meat industry and Bord Bia are well placed to develop this niche market to US consumers in the near future."