Farmers are expressing concern as China closes off its market to Irish beef again, after this week’s outbreak of bluetongue.
Four herds in County Wexford have now tested positive for the disease as authorities look to limit its spread.
China has suspended imports of Irish beef as a result – a decision the Minister for Agriculture has called “disappointing”.
News Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal, Amy Forde, says China only reopened its market to us recently, after an outbreak of BSE some years ago, noting; “Now that it’s been taken away again, I suppose, it is causing some concern among farmers however it was open for such a little time, very minimal exports of Irish beef probably landed in China in that time and the focus will now turn on ensuring that Irish officials can chat to Chinese officials to try get that market reopened again”.
