China-Ireland beef deal at risk over vote at UN

The Government has been warned by the Chinese authorities that a vote by Ireland at the United Nations Human Rights Council could have consequences for a multimillion-euro beef trade deal.

Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney yesterday told the Cabinet his department had been contacted by the Chinese government expressing concern about a recent vote at the UNHRC.

It is understood Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan also spoke on the issue.

Mr Coveney has previously said the lifting of the Chinese ban on Irish beef imports was a "vast opportunity" for Irish farmers. He estimated Irish beef exports to China could be worth well over €100 million even in the short term.

China banned EU beef imports over mad cow disease, or BSE, 16 years ago, but an announcement that the ban was being lifted in respect of Irish beef came in the past year.

A senior Government source said the UNHRC vote “may have consequences” for the beef deal trumpeted as a major Irish achievement.

The beef announcement last year came after years of diplomatic effort by Ireland, which included a visit by President Michael D Higgins to China, the visit of Chinese president Xi Jinping to Ireland when he was vice-president, and ministerial visits.

Gaining access to the Chinese market has been top of the agenda. During one visit to China in 2014, Mr Coveney said a “major step forward” had been made.

Potential implications

While optimism was still expressed, sources said it was feared the incident could have “implications” and was not helpful as moves to lift the ban are being finalised.

Irish figures said the email came from a “mid-ranking” Chinese official and was assessed by the Department of Agriculture, but Government sources expressed concern.

Ireland last month supported a motion at the UNHRC from the US “highlighting China’s ongoing problematic human rights record”, such as detentions, the unexplained disappearance of people and the “apparent coerced returns of Chinese and foreign citizens from outside mainland China”.

The Department of Agriculture said it has been “working closely with the Chinese authorities to finalise the remaining technical steps to allow trade of Irish beef to China to commence”.