The Minister was speaking after a meeting between the Chinese Minister Zhi Shuping, Defra Secretary of State, Owen Patterson and the DARD Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Perpetua McNamee.

She said: "This represents a new lucrative market for our high quality agricultural commodities and represents a promising development in my efforts to further trade links with China."

She continued: "I met with the Chinese inspectors in January 2013 during their visit to a premises in the north wishing to export porcine semen. Today’s agreement shows they were impressed by our standards and the quality of commodities we have to offer for export, a fact I am keen to remind them of during my visits to China. I am committed to continuing to build a strong relationship with China, a country that holds massive potential of our local agri food sector."