The Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has announced that a further three Irish beef plants and one pigmeat plant have now been approved by the Chinese authorities.
The four plants have also been listed by CNCA, the Chinese Certification and Accreditation Agency, which is part of the recently established Chinese Agency, the State Market Regulatory Administration.
“I am very pleased that the Chinese officials in CNCA have been able to complete this part of the registration process so quickly and efficiently, despite the wide range of countries seeking beef access to China and many demands on their time. It is a very significant sign of the respect for our food safety systems and of the high regard in which the entire Irish meat industry, from field and farmer through to fork is held,” said Minister Creed.
Growing Relationship
The announcement follows a recent trip made by Minister Creed to China, where he led a successful Trade Mission in May regarding the export of Irish goods to the Chinese market.
According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, it was agreed during the mission that these plants had met the required standard and could be registered shortly.
“This is a testament to my Department’s work on market access in pursuing and advancing market access through both a wide range of technical and official work and also through relevant diplomatic and political channels. Increasing market opportunities for our exporters is a key component of the Food Wise 2025 strategy and our response to Brexit,” Minister Creed added.
“This will bring to eleven the number of Irish meat plants, excluding Coldstores, which are approved to export to China – six beef plants and five pigmeat plants. The geographic spread of these plants, with knock-on benefits to our farmers all across the country, is also notable.”
Total Irish agri-food trade exports to China reached €974 million last year, making China Ireland’s third largest market overall. Pigmeat accounted for little over €100 million of the total export figure, and the second largest category of food exported to the country.
© 2018 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
