Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 7/7/16


The Irish government has announced that processors there can now also ship manufacturing beef intending for grinding to the U.S.

Improved access for Irish processors came after Washington recognized their raw meat controls as equivalent to those of the United States.

Previously, after lifting its BSE ban on Irish beef in March 2014, the U.S. government in January 2015 reopened its borders but limited imports of Irish beef to intact product.

The decision allows for the two sides to approve Irish beef plants to also export manufacturing beef intended for grinding to the U.S., based on agreed-to criteria that need to be completed before such trade can begin.

Six Irish plants are currently approved to export beef to the U.S. Ireland’s 2015 beef exports to the U.S. are estimated at more than $15 million, and officials there say “2016 looks to be considerably improved on that figure.”

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