Philippines approves imports from Ireland
Simon Coveney, minister for agriculture, food and the marine in Ireland, welcomed the agreement, and said it followed a successful systems audit inspection visit to Ireland by a veterinary delegation from the Philippines.
A total of 43 Irish beef processing establishments have been given the green light to export to the Philippines until 23 August 2015, along with 39 pig processing establishments and 29 sheep establishments.
Coveney said: "I am firmly of the view that it is vital that Irish companies have access to as many markets worldwide as possible and my department and I will continue to work closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Bord Bía to this end."
Veterinary health certificates have also been agreed for beef, pigmeat and sheepmeat between the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Agriculture of the Republic of the Philippines.
Coveney added the Philippines was a key market in south-east Asia, and that there were good prospects for Irish meat exports in the short and long term.
There is every reason to hope that this market development could have a positive effect on Ireland’s efforts to gain access to other markets in the region, said the minister.
