Two separate Chinese delegations visited Northern Ireland in April, and Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle O’Neill announced her intention to visit China at the beginning of June to further progress these negotiations.

The Minister said: "Relationship building is a key component in agreeing terms to trade with China and my planned visit in June will maintain the momentum on trade negotiations that I and my officials have made following our previous trips there.

"It is important to visit China to thank them for undertaking the important inspections of our processors earlier this month as this is a key step in approving the north to export pork."

Concluding, she said: "I am delighted that my efforts to date secured the long awaited approval inspections of our pork processors.

"Although negotiations to open the market for other meat exports will be lengthy, I am confident that through my continued engagement with the Chinese government I can build on our successes to date and reinforce the importance we place on trading with China."

Arrangements for Ms O'Neill’s mission to China are ongoing.

An inspection on 17 April in Northern Ireland audited pig trotter production standards with a view to adding such fifth quarter to the commodities eligible for export to China.

A second visit from 26-28 April assessed the north’s pig processors as part of the approval process to enable them to export pig meat to China. The outcome of the inspections is awaited.