Irish beef has been approved for sale in the US for the first time in more than 15 years.

Fears over BSE prompted American officials to ban beef from EU countries, and that ban was only lifted in March of last year.

Ireland will be the first member state to benefit from that, after US authorities inspected our beef production systems last July.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney says his department will announce a number of initiatives to capitalise on the announcement in the coming weeks.

That includes a dedicated website aimed at American consumers, highlighting the quality of Irish beef.

Last month, China audited Ireland with a view to allowing Irish beef in. Chinese food scientists were in Ireland doing tests on the agriculture processes in Irish beef farms. The move was considered a step further towards an agreement with China on allowing Irish beef into the market there.

Mr Coveney told the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk this move is very positive, and may help Ireland access other markets.