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

We need both. Industry representatives places significant importance on two factors, both of which we are close to achieving. The first is the export of manufactured beef into the US and the second is the export of beef to China. A Chinese team of inspectors is in the country currently.

When I predicted volumes and value for the US market, we thought we would get manufactured beef in at the same time as prime cuts but that did not happen, which is a part explanation for the volume. Prime cuts comprise a much higher value but much lower volume. We will get manufactured beef into the US shortly and there will be a significant increase in volume. The industry says there is a market for this and, therefore, the value will increase as well. We need to maximise the value of the entire carcass, which means exporting manufactured beef products as well as prime cuts. The US has the capacity to buy both and pay a premium price for both.

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