Most of Ireland's food and drink exports to the US will not be banned, despite the US decision to suspend imports of all EU animals and animal products after the foot-and-mouth outbreak in France.
This follows representations made through the Irish Embassy in Washington, and a meeting between the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, and the charge d'affaires of the US embassy in Dublin, Mr Earle Scarlett.
Irish exports to the US are worth £340 million a year. While Irish pig-meat and meat products stay banned, cream liqueurs, chocolate crumb and cheese are to be allowed in. However, casein, which accounts for £100 million of our exports, must have a permit and for animal feed it must be heat-treated.
Representations to have all Irish foods allowed into the US are continuing, the chief executive of Bord Bia, Mr Michael Duffy, said. And the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, is to emphasise Ireland's disease-free or "white zone" status when he meets President Bush in Washington tomorrow.
Canada and Australia have also banned EU food imports. Japan, which takes £70 million worth of Irish food, including £40 million of pig-meat, has excluded Irish products from its ban on EU food, the IFA reported.
Mr Noel Cawley, chief executive of the Irish Dairy Board, said normal processing conditions for casein here should comply with the US conditions.
Mr John Tyrell, director general of the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, said the US EU-wide ban was excessive.
