May 25, 2012

China plans to check Ireland's beef production

The officials of China are making arrangements to send a full technical team to Ireland in June to inspect the process applying to the production of beef, said Chinese Vice Minister Gao Hongbin.

The Irish Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney welcomed "this very significant step forward."

He also expressed confidence that the Irish control system would provide the necessary reassurances to the Chinese experts. Minister Goa is scheduled to visit the Teagasc Animal & Grassland and Food Research Centre in Moorepark, Fermoy. There, he will be given an overview of the Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation programme and will be shown the extensive research facilities in Moorepark.

The Vice Minister will also visit an export-approved beef plant. Minister Gao's visit follows on from Minister Coveney's successful trade mission to China last month. It was agreed on that visit that Mr Gao would come to Ireland with a view to fostering increased cooperation and understanding in the areas of agriculture, fisheries and food.

Minister Gao will also have an opportunity to see the best that Irish grass-based farm production systems can offer in terms of producing high quality meat and dairy products, and will get an overview of Irish expertise in production research and food safety.