THE UNITED ARAB Emirates (UAE) market opened to exports of sheep meat from Ireland today, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney announced.

The agreement follows consultations between the department, the Irish Embassy in the UAE and authorities from the country which has a population exceeding 8 million.

Last summer the UAE lifted the age restriction for Irish beef exports and reached an agreement with the government on a veterinary health certificate allowing for the export of poultry meat products from Ireland.

Commenting on today’s agreement, Minister Coveney said there is an increasing interest amongst the industry in exporting Irish sheep meat to non-EU countries.

“I am committed to ensuring that Irish operators have access to as many markets as possible worldwide,” he said.

“This approach frequently requires intensive consultation at technical and diplomatic level, and ultimately the decision to permit access to markets rests with the veterinary authorities in the receiving country.”

Read: Iran to lift ban on Irish beef>

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