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Irish farmers have called for a swift resolution after beef exports to China were suspended following confirmation of a case of atypical BSE.

It comes less than a year after the Chinese market reopened to Irish beef in January, following a three-year closure due to a previous BSE case.

The Irish Department of Agriculture said there was no danger at any stage of this animal entering the human food chain and no public health risk.

BSE

IFA livestock chair Brendan Golden said the suspension of access was disappointed and must be resolved quickly.

The resumption of trade will be down to the Chinese authorities.

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"Given that we had only recently regained access, it's a setback that we could do without," Mr Golden said.

He highlighted demand for beef in Ireland's key export markets, the UK and European Union, was strong. Supplies of ‘suitable in spec' cattle was tightening and there should be no negative impact on beef price.

He said beef prices were rising as factories build stocks for the lucrative Christmas trade.

"The move by China is a technical issue resulting from the discovery of a case of A-Typical BSE in a 10-year-old cow in this country. Under the protocol, Ireland is required to submit a detailed epidemiological report," he said.

"Given the nature of this case, once the report is reviewed by the Chinese authorities, there should be no delay in regaining access," he said.

Irish beef

Irish Tanaiste Micheal Martin told Irish broadcaster RTE he was hopeful Chinese authorities will reach a decision on the resumption of Irish beef exports to China ‘within a matter of months'.

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Mr Martin, who was on a four-day visit to China, said he was not concerned about damage to Ireland's reputation.

"The voluntary suspension of the trade is part of a protocol that Ireland and China entered into to facilitate the entry of beef into the Chinese market," he said.

"It is disappointing that this happened, but I think it is a vindication of our controls. And this is an atypical case. It has not entered the food chain."

He also added that the impact on farmers was likely to be minimal.