China halts Irish beef imports after bluetongue outbreak
Suspension comes weeks after market reopening
29 January 2026
1 minute read
By: China has suspended imports of Irish beef due to an outbreak of bluetongue disease in cattle, just two weeks after it reopened its market for Irish beef for the first time in more than a year, Reuters reported, citing Ireland's agriculture ministry on Wednesday.
Ireland reported its first outbreak of the disease in a herd in the southeast of the country on Saturday and was informed by the Chinese authorities that they had suspended Irish beef imports from Tuesday, the ministry said.
The virus has since been detected in three additional herds near the initial outbreak.
China reopened its market to Irish beef imports on Jan. 12 during a visit by Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin to Beijing, dropping a 2024 suspension that followed the discovery of a case of mad cow disease.
"This is disappointing news in light of the recent reopening of the market," Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon said in a statement, adding that his department was engaging with Chinese authorities to resolve the suspension in a timely manner.
Bluetongue, which does not affect humans or the safety of animal meat or milk, has been reported in several parts of Europe in recent months, including Northern Ireland.
Ireland exports the bulk of its output from the beef and dairy industries, which are major employers in the country.
Heydon said on Saturday that there were no implications for meat and dairy exports to the European Union, Britain and most other international markets as a result of the outbreak.
