Another Irish beef processor has been granted a US export licence. The Slaney Foods processing facility in Co Wexford has become the third Irish plant to gain access to the US market following the lifting of the ban on Irish beef imports earlier this year.

The company said it already commenced sales to US manufacturers. "Growth in the business will depend on Ireland and the EU finding a formula to give the EU a bigger quota than the small import quota currently in place," managing director Rory Fanning said.

The news follows trade figures from the CSO which show Irish processors exported only 31 tonnes of beef, worth €194,000, to the US during the first six months of 2015.EOIN BURKE-KENNEDY