The ABP Food Group has announced the first deal to supply beef to the United States.

It follows the opening of the market to Irish products for the first time in 15 years - marking the end of an American embargo on European beef - which was introduced at the height of the BSE crisis.

The Agriculture Minister, Simon Coveney, is leading beef producers on a trade mission to mark the opening of the market.

ABP has agreed to source the beef to Sysco Metro New York and Sysco Boston.

The Agriculture Minister is describing the launch of Irish beef in the United States as a 'huge opportunity'.

The trade visit - which will take in New York, Washington and Boston - follows the end of the American embargo on European beef, which was introduced at the height of the BSE crisis.

Among the main events today will be an unveiling to US media of Bord Bia’s strategy for marketing Irish beef in the States.

The visit will also include meetings with the US Secretary for Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, and other leading politicians on Capitol Hill tomorrow.

Minister Simon Coveney spoke to Pat Kenny about the opportunities afforded by the US market:

Tadhg Geary is director of Pallas Foods and part of the US trade mission. He spoke to Jonathan Healy on Newstalk Lunchtime:

However not all farmers are enthused by the trade mission.

Patrick Kent is the President of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association said the visit is a distraction from the issue of beef prices at Irish factories.