Full access to US markets for Irish sheepmeat

An agreement has been reached with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on a veterinary health certificate for the export of Irish sheepmeat to the US, meaning that there is now full access for Irish sheepmeat to the US market. The announcement was made as the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue took part in a trade mission to the country at the end of April.

Minister McConalogue said the agreement marked another welcome move in the diversification of overseas markets for Irish sheepmeat and follows the lifting last December of the US ban on EU sheep meat exports.

Mr McConalogue said that the agreement was a testament to Irish meat production standards.

“The speedy agreement on certification conditions comes after many years of preparatory work; in particular, UDSA recognition in 2019 of the equivalence Ireland’s sheepmeat inspection system with US domestic standards. It is, therefore, very much a testament to the high standards and reputation of Irish sheep farming. Our sheep farmers are world class, producing a safe, sustainable and healthy product that is in demand in markets across the globe.”

The USA was Ireland’s second largest destination for Agri-food exports in 2021, with exports totalling approximately €1.3 billion. This represents a 20.2% increase in value on 2020 figures, and a 22.5% increase in volume. Irish agri-food exports to the USA were valued at €521.6 million in 2012 and have increased by 147.4% to €1.3 billion in 2021.