Exchange programme with US state for department veterinary officials explored

The potential for Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine veterinary officials to go on an exchange programme to Georgia, in the US, was examined during a trade mission taking place across the Atlantic Ocean.

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed confirmed the news following the first day of the Government of Ireland trade mission to the US and Canada.

As part of the day’s events, the minister met with the Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Georgia, Gary Black.

Speaking following the meeting, Minister Creed said: “I was pleased to further explore the opportunities for an exchange programme for veterinary officials between my department and the Georgian State Department of Agriculture, an initiative which I hope can be progressed soon.”

As well as this, Minister Creed attended a series of other events – including another bilateral meeting with the Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Tennessee,  Jai Templeton – in Nashville, Tennessee.

Nashville is the location for the Annual Meat Conference, at which a number of Irish beef companies are exhibiting.

The day’s main event focused around the Ireland stand, at the Annual North American Meat Industry Conference, organised with the facilitation of Bord Bia. An estimated 1,300 targeted attendees attended the conference.

Commenting on the event, Minister Creed said: “This is an excellent opportunity to bring targeted retail buyers, suppliers and consumers together.

Having our own Irish beef companies here working together to promote Irish beef in general, as well as their own particular brands, is an excellent chance to showcase the best of Irish beef to a wider audience.

“Irish beef has an international reputation for its safety and high standards in animal welfare. Our traceability system is at the heart of our food safety system, which is renowned as world class.”

The Minister also met with a range of other key stakeholders including the president and CEO of the North American Meat Institute (NAMI), Barry Carpenter, and the president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Kevin Kester.