The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, has outlined that he will be meeting Chinese officials to discuss arrangements for exporting Irish lamb and mutton to China.
Speaking at the opening of the Macra na Feirme National Conference at Corrin Events Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, today, Friday, October 25, Minister Creed said: “I will be meeting with senior Chinese officials next week to discuss the possibility of access for sheep meat to the Chinese market.”
A spokesperson for the minister further outlined to AgriLand that Minister Creed will meet a vice minister at the General Administration of Customs, China (GACC), and noted that Minister Creed had met the vice minister during a trade mission in May.
Commenting on Irish beef exports to China, Minister Creed said: “In 2019 – albeit from a low start – we could be looking at a tenfold increase in the volume of beef exports that we will put into the Chinese market.”
He added that exports to Asian markets could also further increase and said “I think there is reason to be optimistic” but acknowledged that this year has continued to be poor for the beef sector.
Other panels
At 2:20pm, a discussion took place with Dairygold CEO Jim Wolfe and Teagasc’s Paudie Kelly.
Image source: O’Gorman Photography.
The pair discussed Dairygold’s investment in expansion as well as current and future markets for the Irish dairy sector.
Following on, at 2:40pm, a panel discussion featuring Teagasc’s Dr. Donagh Berry, Dr. Brendan Horan and Donal Sheehan took place.
At 3:20pm, Cork MEP Billy Kellegher discussed EU affairs and their effects on Ireland. The discussion was facilitated by Damien O’Reilly.
Finally, a panel discussion featuring: Tom Pemberton; Hazel Williams; and Dr. Sasi Balasubramanian took place and focused primarily on future technology and its potential implications and uses in Irish agriculture.