Irish beef producers have '12-month head-start' in US market
Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney is describing the launch of Irish beef in the United States as a "huge opportunity".
Minister Coveney is leading beef producers on a trade mission - to mark the opening of the market to Irish products for the first time in 15 years.
The visit - which will take in New York, Washington and Boston - follows the end of the American embargo on European beef - which was introduced at the height of the BSE crisis.
Among the main events today - will be an unveiling to US media of Bord Bia’s strategy for marketing Irish beef in the US.
The ABP Food Group has announced the first deal to supply beef to the United States. The firm has agreed to source the beef to Sysco Metro New York and Sysco Boston.
"There will be no other European beef coming into the US for at least 12 months, we're told, so we have a head-start on everybody else," said Minister Coveney .
"And, of course, we have an Irish-American community here who are really anxious to be helpful.
"Primarily it'll be prime cuts, I think.
"We will be able to export all types of beef products, that's part of the agreement. And obviously there's specific conditions that need to be finalised in relation to some of it.
"We have a premium product and we'll be selling to premium markets for a premium price."
