The latest round of approvals for 14 additional meat factories in Ireland to begin exporting beef to China must bear fruit for farmers, according to independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice.
Speaking on the matter, he said: “While it is important to welcome this advancement, farmers finally need to begin seeing the benefit of these markets.
“The importance of the Chinese market has been underlined consistently by the Department of Agriculture, Bord Bia and Meat Industry Ireland.
“We now have over 20 factories in this country which are allowed to export beef to China, which is a vast market.
“While it is a good news story, farmers need to start seeing a real benefit coming from the growing presence of Irish beef in the Chinese market.
“They need to start seeing extra value. Hopefully this will be the start of the beef price in Ireland beginning on an upward trajectory, as beef farmers have been forced to survive on their knees for far too long,” Fitzmaurice concluded.
Michael Fitzmaurice TD – 086-1914565