The protection of Ireland's export trade with the United States in animal products is expected to be raised by the Taoiseach with President Bush this morning as the US 14-day ban on such imports from Europe takes effect.
Intensive lobbying by Irish officials has succeeded in exempting certain Irish products from the ban, imposed as a result of the foot-and-mouth crisis. Casein (a protein derived from milk), chocolate crumb and cream liqueurs have been exempted, but Ireland is continuing to press for the exemption of some pork and other products.
US sales of the three products account for some £146 million worth of exports. Some other Irish dairy products such as yogurt and cheese are excluded from the ban because they are heat treated and, therefore, not seen as a risk.
The EU is involved in talks with the US authorities to reduce the impact of the ban, imposed after the confirmation of the first case of foot-and-mouth disease in France earlier this week.