Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not going to get into making judgments on issues that were subjects of tribunals in the past as I do not believe it is helpful. As I said, I am very comfortable that we have regulatory systems that allow us to produce the safest and highest quality beef in the planet. It is not just me saying that. We are the only European country allowed to export beef to the United States because of those standards. It is also because of the results of inspection visits by United States authorities last summer of several ABP plants, which were excellent.

My job is to ensure when we are exporting beef all over the world that we are doing it in a way that is safe and that I can stand over its transparency, traceability, sustainability, quality and safety. All the companies with us last week in the United States comply with the regulations in full. In many ways, they are offering leadership with new projects, particularly around sustainability and animal welfare. Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan might be interested on that last point. For that reason, companies like Sysco are happy to develop partnerships with large Irish beef companies. This will allow us build business that will ensure farmers get a better price for their produce and build increased employment in the beef industry based on export markets like the United States.

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