The Minister for Agriculture will lead a major trade promotion to the United States to mark the arrival of Irish beef into the US market for the first time in more than fifteen years.

It follows the removal of a US ban preventing European beef from entering the market during the BSE crisis.

Beef from Europe has been off the retail shelves in the US since it imposed its ban for BSE reason’s over fifteen years ago.

Following the removal of that restriction Ireland is now the first EU country to be allowed back into the market.

The trade mission will cover three cities, New York, Washington D.C, and Boston, with high-profile promotional events around Irish beef planned for each city.

Speaking in advance of the trip, Minister Simon Coveney said the visit to the US represents a huge opportunity to promote Irish beef in one of the most valuable markets in the world.