The U.S. has come to an agreement with Ireland to provide full access for Irish sheep meat in the U.S. market.
The move comes after the USDA and Ireland’s counterpart agreed on a veterinary health certificate, building on the U.S.’ December rule to remove most restrictions on sheep product exports from the European Union.
Irish sheep processors will now be able to formally apply for approval to export to the U.S.
“The U.S. is now Ireland’s second largest export market after the (United Kingdom), with exports last year valued at Ђ1.3 billion (about $1.37 billion), up 22 percent on 2020,” said Tara McCarthy, CEO of Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board.
U.S. import volumes of sheep meat increased from 103,527 tons in 2015 to 166,165 tons in 2021, according to Bord Bia.
