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China Reopens Beef Market to Ireland After BSE Scare
12 Jan
Summary
- China has lifted its ban on Irish beef imports.
- The ban was imposed due to a mad cow disease discovery.
- Ireland's prime minister met with China's president recently.
China has officially reopened its market to Irish beef imports, marking a significant recovery for Ireland's agricultural trade. The ban, instated in 2024 after a case of mad cow disease was detected, has now been lifted, as confirmed by Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin. This decision follows Martin's recent diplomatic visit to China, where he engaged with President Xi Jinping.
The reopening is a crucial positive development for Ireland's substantial beef and dairy sectors. These industries are vital for national employment and contribute significantly to the country's export economy, with dairy shipments alone valued at approximately 6 billion euros annually. The easing of restrictions is expected to bolster trade relations.
This move occurs amidst broader trade complexities between the EU and China, including recent EU levies on Chinese electric vehicles and subsequent Chinese retaliatory tariffs on EU dairy and pork. China also recently imposed import quotas on beef from other major suppliers to support its domestic cattle industry.
