UAE lifts ban on Irish beef imports

By Ray Ryan, Agribusiness Correspondent

Monday, November 16, 2009

THE United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted a ban on the importation of Irish beef which has been in place for more than eight years.

The move followed areview by the UAE authorities of beef controls in a number of European Union 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 €8.3 million.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith yesterday welcomed the reopening of the UAE market to Irish beef under 30 months.

He said his department, together with Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs, had been working vigorously to regain access to this important market.

The UAE decision would provide another potentially important outlet for Irish beef, he said.

Mr Smith said the re-opening of the market was recognition that the production of beef in Ireland is subject to extremely rigorous controls and reflects the importance that is placed here on high standards for food safety.

He said he was committed to ensuring that Irish meat exporters had unhindered access to global markets and added that ongoing efforts would continue in this context.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, November 16, 2009