US market opened to quality beef from Northern Ireland
Manufacturers Foyle Food Group and WD Meats in Northern Ireland have been approved to export meat to the US. And Granville Cold Storage in Dungannon has also been approved by the US authorities in a major breakthrough for the industry.
It’s the first time in 20 years that beef from Northern Ireland will be available in the huge US marketplace. It’s thought likely that most of the beef will go to burger producers, a very substantial business across the US.
Meat exports to the US from Northern Ireland and other UK were halted because of foot and mouth disease in the mid-nineties.
The move by the US authorities was welcomed by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA who said: “The decision by the US authorities to grant access to two local beef processors is a significant move and one that I welcome wholeheartedly.
“It is a credit to the excellent quality, traceability, high animal welfare standards and good environmental practices that we see day in and day out across our agriculture sector. We have an excellent product to sell and we can compete with the best in the world. With exports possible next month, it will be the first time in 20 years that US citizens will taste the wonderful beef that our farmers rear with dedication and commitment,” he added.
Foyle Food Group, Campsie and WD Meats in Coleraine have been listed as meat plants eligible to export meat to the US, enabling the companies to access a market worth potentially £66 million over the next five years.
Mr Poots continued: “This has of course, been a very challenging year for our farmers, with many experiencing significant financial difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, the decision by the US authorities will be a real boost for our local beef farmers, not just in economic terms, but it will lift the morale of the sector.
“The opening of the US market has been made possible due to the strenuous efforts of my department’s veterinary teams, working closely with DEFRA in London and the industry here in Northern Ireland.”
Ian Stevenson, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Livestock & Meat Commission, continued: “It is very welcome news that a number of UK establishments including WD Meats Coleraine and Foyle Campsie have now been officially listed by the US authorities for the export of beef to the nation.
“The US is one of the largest consumer markets for beef in the world and despite the impact of Covid-19 globally we have seen that processors in the Republic of Ireland have more than doubled their beef exports to USA in the first six months of 2020 worth over £15 million.
“It is testament to the hard work of government officials, industry and support bodies across the UK that our industry in Northern Ireland has been given the go ahead to export and can now start to service new customers in the US with our safe, traceable and excellent quality assured beef and we look forward to seeing this market opportunity develop and grow in the months and years ahead.”