Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen has warmly welcomed the Indonesian Government’s decision to lift its 8-year-old ban on the importation of Irish beef.The Asian country imposed the ban for BSE-related reasons in 2001. The market is being re-opened under the conditions recommended by the Indonesian experts who visited Ireland last June. These include a requirement that the meat originate from cattle under 48 months of age. Initially access is being limited to those four plants that were inspected in June but the possibility of approving other plants, following similar inspection, remains open.
According to Minister of State Killeen: “The re-opening of this valuable market reflects intensive efforts by Government at political, diplomatic and technical level. Prior to the ban exports of Irish beef to Indonesia exceeded 24,000 tonnes, valued at in excess of EUR28.5 million.”
“This development represents another significant breakthrough in regaining markets closed because of BSE and added that it will provide a welcome additional outlet for Irish beef on the world market. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will continue to work with An Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs to develop new overseas opportunities for Irish beef exporters”, he added.
