UAE lifts ban on Ireland beef

After an eight-year ban, the United Arab Emirates finally lifted the ban on beef exports from Ireland, according to Irish minister for agriculture, fisheries and food, Brendan Smith.

This decision by the UAE has been taken as a result of a review by its authorities of beef controls in a number of EU countries, including Ireland.

In the year preceding the ban, exports of Irish beef to the UAE amounted to over 5,200 tonnes and were valued at almost EUR8.3 million (US$12.39 million). The market is being reopened to Irish beef under 30-month old.

Smith said that his department, together with Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs, had been working vigorously to regain access to this important market and that the UAE decision would provide another potentially important outlet for Irish beef.

He described the reopening of the market as recognition that beef production in Ireland is subject to extremely rigorous controls.

US$1 = EUR0.67 (Nov 27)