Officials from both Ireland and China have agreed that the priority focus for 2019 market access to China will be on sheepmeat.
The agreement was made today, (Friday, November 2) at a meeting in Beijing between the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the General Administration of Customs China (GACC).
According to a statement from the department, Ireland had previously submitted a detailed questionnaire on sheepmeat which GACC will now review and, when complete, the next steps will include an inspection visit to Ireland.
The meetings were facilitated by the Irish Embassy in Beijing and involved senior officials from two key Chinese Ministries – GACC and MARA (the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs).
The Chinese side emphasised the importance attached by the Chinese Government to the Chinese Import and Export Expo (CIEE) taking place in Shanghai next week.
This Expo, to be opened by president Xi Jingping, will serve as a showcase for China’s commitment to international trade.
The statement has said Chinese officials were delighted to hear that Minister Doyle will attend the Expo, which will feature a significant presence from Bord Bia and several Irish food companies.