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As exclusively revealed on farmersjournal.ie on Monday, a delegation of South Korean officials is in Ireland in the attempt to open a new beef export market.
The Irish Farmers Journal understands the delegation is from an agency similar to the Irish Department of Agriculture. They had an opening meeting on Monday of this week and are visiting two processors, a veterinary lab and one farm. The delegation will conclude its visit on Friday.
It is understood the delegation is visiting Liffey Meats in Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan, and Euro Farm Foods in Duleek, Co Meath.
This is the second audit by South Korea and is part of a long process which is likely to have five audits or visits.
The end of the process will be factory approval.
Industry sources have described the delegation as detailed and very thorough.
South Korea is the sixth-largest global importer of beef.
In the first quarter of 2017, it imported approximately 120,000t of beef. This was up from 105,000t for the same period in 2016.
China
Preparations are continuing for a likely visit of Chinese veterinary inspectors next month. China lifted the BSE ban on Irish beef in 2015.
Meanwhile, the US Department of Agriculture has this week reached agreement with Chinese officials on final details of a protocol to allow the US ship beef to China.
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