The former IFA National Livestock Chairman has welcomed the news that Irish beef farmers will now have access to the largest market in the world.
Henry Burns made the comments to Midlands 103 after it was revealed that China are ready to accept Irish meat supplies.
Even with the ban on Irish beef in place, Irish exports to China were worth almost a billion Euro last year.
China banned beef from the EU and US during the BSE crisis in 2000.
Speaking to Midlands 103, the Mountmellick native said: “It is very good work by the Department of Agriculture and very good work by the minister.
“But that means that the focus needs to be kept firmly on.
“China is the wealthiest market in the world for beef and it pays the highest price in the world for steak.
“But the UK market, 70 miles from us, there needs to be a firm focus kept on how we are going to remain in that market.
“Because there is no market out there for us that will replace the UK market.”
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