Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen has warmly welcomed the decision by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Government to lift its 8-year-old ban on the importation of Irish beef.The Middle Eastern nation imposed the ban in January 2001 as a result of a review of beef controls in a number of EU countries, including Ireland.
Minister of State Killeen said the announcement was hugely significant as the UAE previously was a significant importer of Irish beef. He noted: “In the year preceding the ban, exports of Irish beef to the UAE amounted to over 5,200 tonnes and were valued at almost 8.3 million euro. The market is being re-opened to Irish beef under 30 months, and will provide another potentially important outlet for Irish beef.”
Minister of State Killeen added: “The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, together with Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs, has been working vigorously to regain access to this important market. The re-opening of the market is recognition that the production of beef in Ireland is subject to extremely rigorous controls and reflects the importance we place on high standards for food safety.”
