With increased competition in the beef market, a west of Ireland TD says the quality of the Irish product has to be its main selling point.
More than 20 factories have now been cleared to export meat to China, a development that has led Independent Michael Fitzmaurice to insist that the farmer who produces the beef must benefit.
However, there is also increased competition from places such as Brazil.
But Deputy Fitzmaurice says comparing Irish beef to that which comes from the likes of Brazil is like comparing apples and oranges.
