An Enterprise Ireland agri-tech trade delegation is visiting the largest animal production show in France, SPACE (Salon des Productions Animales – Carrefour Europeen) tradeshow, later today (Thursday, September 14).
The delegation is headed by the Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen.
The trade visit focuses on promoting the innovation capabilities of Irish agri-tech companies in areas including: connected agriculture; the use of data in agriculture; and progress in the area of automation and robotics.
The trade visit will also maximise business opportunities for Enterprise Ireland client companies, which will pitch their products to an audience of farmers, influencers and potential buyers in the specially convened ‘Enterprise Ireland Innovation Area’, according to the Department of Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation.
Minister Breen is set to officially open the Technology in Agriculture panel discussion, which will examine how to increase collaboration between Ireland and France with the objective of making improvements to farm production in both countries.
Minister @PatBreen1 leads @Entirl delegation to SPACE, the largest animal production show in France https://t.co/b1Zc1Sn3s0 #GlobalAmbition pic.twitter.com/gxIipmmxMx
— Enterprise Ireland (@Entirl) September 14, 2017
Speaking on his arrival at SPACE, Minister Breen said: “France presents good growth opportunities for Irish companies across all sectors and is already a significant consumer of Irish goods.
“In 2016, Enterprise Ireland client company exports to France were in excess of €902 million.
SPACE provides a magnificent platform for Irish agri-tech companies to showcase their solution offerings, encouraging French buyers to rely on Irish innovative products and services as a source of advantage.
“This helps to further improve Ireland’s position internationally as a source of innovation,” the minister added.
This is the 31st year of SPACE which is now the second largest global event for professionals of animal production and is billed as an unmissable event for all breeders and suppliers of animal production.
- Pitches from seven Enterprise Ireland agri-tech clients to potential customers;
- A Technology in Agriculture panel which will be addressed by Minister Breen followed by a series of short talks by Kieran Furlong, Finistere and Jean-Baptiste Cuisinier, President/CEO of CapAgro, France.
Marina Donohoe, Northern Europe and UK Director for Enterprise Ireland also commented, saying: “There are more than 120 Enterprise Ireland client companies active in the agricultural machinery and technologies sector, contributing €4.1 billion to Ireland’s GDP and supporting 250,000 jobs in Ireland.
“We are keen to use SPACE as an opportunity to promote the Irish advantage and Irish agri-tech innovation to potential French customers.
“Enterprise Ireland’s Eurozone strategy is focused on supporting our client companies to diversify into new markets as a way for them to build scale and expand their reach with their products and services as part of our response to the UK’s decision to leave the EU,” Donohoe concluded.