The president of the Irish Farmers Association has said access to the US market for Irish beef would be a major prize for Ireland's agricultural industry.
It comes after the US Government initiated steps which would allow the importation of European beef into North America once again.
It was banned in 1997 when BSE broke out.
IFA president John Bryan has said the proposed change in US law, which has been opened for public consultation there, should be pursued vigorously, as the EU have recently granted the US assess to the European market.