The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, has agreed a veterinary health certificate for the export of pigmeat, following a trade mission to south-east Asia.
Minister Creed has just finished the first agri-food trade mission to Indonesia and Malaysia, and it was the latter country with whom the agreement was signed.
Malaysia is one of Bord Bia’s top five potential new markets and the minister added that the agreement will give the two countries a chance to discuss further market access in the future.
Commenting on the new agreement, Minister Creed said: “This is very positive news, as the Malaysian market has been on the radar of our pigmeat industry for some time.
“Obviously there are a number of steps remaining before market access is finalised, including an inspection visit from the Malaysian authorities. But, agreement on a veterinary health cert is an important milestone in this process,” he added.
It follows on from technical discussions between officials from my department and their Malaysian counterparts, as well as my bilateral meeting with the [Malaysian] minister. This really underlines the value of trade missions in progressing our market access efforts.
Looking to the future, Minister Creed said that this agreement can pave the way for more discussion about Irish access to the Malaysian market, especially in the poultry sector.
“Poultry is another meat that has been of significant interest to Ireland in terms of market access and today’s meetings serve as a useful chance to discuss our ongoing poultry application,” said the minister.
Minister Creed also extended an invitation to his Malaysian counterpart, Minister Salahuddin, to visit Ireland next year.
The trade mission also included a dairy conference attended by more than 70 Malaysian buyers, where they learned the ways and means of Irish dairy production.
“Having our own Irish dairy companies here working together to promote Irish dairy in general, as well as their own particular brands, is an excellent chance to showcase the best of Irish dairy,” said the minister.