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Creed Continues Trade Mission to Asia with a Series of Irish Food and Drink Promotion Events in Shanghai Doyle Concludes Korean Leg of Trade Mission to Asia

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Micheal Creed T.D. today concluded the Chinese leg of his Asian Trade Mission after around 20 separate events, spread over 3 days in the 2 largest Chinese cities, Beijing and Shanghai, with a combined population of around 46 million people. The Minister said: “so far this has been a hugely successful Trade Mission with a number of vital events and meetings spread over the three days. These have served to further promote Ireland as a source of high quality safe and sustainable food and drink, as an ideal location for foreign direct investment, and also to nurture key commercial and political relationships between Ireland and China.

Speaking earlier from Shanghai, following the launch of Origin Green in China, the centre-piece of the day’s events, the Minister said: “Earlier today I was delighted to formally launch an online platform for Origin Green in China. Origin Green provides a crucial evidence base to our credentials in terms of environmental sustainability in food and drink production. In a three year period, 90,000 Irish farms have been audited and carbon foot-printed, making Ireland the world leader in this field. At manufacturing level, over 470 food and drink manufacturers, which represent almost 95% of our total food and drink exports, have registered to take part in Origin Green. We believe that Origin Green can help to provide Chinese consumers the assurances that they want, which is the highest quality food that has been sustainably produced. This launch ties in very well with the recent milestone Chinese decision to ratify the Paris Accord on Climate change which shows their own commitment to combat climate change and which we welcome.

The Minister also held a series of meetings and events in order to help facilitate and foster increased business opportunities for Irish companies, including the dairy sector (infant formula), pig meat and equine sector. Infant formula is Ireland’s single biggest food export to China, with an estimated value of €300 million.

The Minister commented that: “Dairy exports to China have been a particular success story in recent years increasing by 380% from €103 million in 2012 to €395 million in 2015. Infant formula represents the jewel in the crown and accounts for the majority of the value in exports. Infant formula represents a significant area of growth opportunity, given the demographic changes in China and I re-iterated our continued support and commitment to work together.

Minister Creed later travelled to Singapore on the final leg of his trade mission to Asia, where he will host a number of trade promotion events as well as holding political level meetings with the Ministry for National Development.

Minister of State Doyle concluded the final day of his trade mission to Korea with high level political meetings with his counterparts in a number of Ministries including the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The Minister of State used the opportunity to significantly advance Ireland’s application for beef access by formally submitting the latest questionnaire which follows from the inspection visit by Korean officials to Ireland in May this year.

Minister of State Doyle said “Today was an excellent opportunity to explore further collaboration between Ireland and Korea on agri-food issues. It was the first such meeting between the Agriculture Ministers of the two countries and it is clear that we have a number of common goals for the development of our respective agri-food sectors. I was particularly delighted to advance Irelands beef access by formally submitting our questionnaire in response to their inspection visit in May. Another inspection will now be required but I am very hopeful that we can conclude this process successfully.”

The Minister of State also visited Won International which is a significant importer of Irish agri technology. There are a number of Korean companies due to visit Ireland soon on an itinerary organised by Enterprise Ireland to coincide with the upcoming Ploughing Championships.

View this Press Release as a PDF: DAFMPR 106/2016 (pdf 526Kb) 

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Left: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D. launching Origin Green platform in Shanghai and below: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D. continued his trade mission in Shanghai by visiting Ole supermarket where a range of Irish products are sold.

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Below left: Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Andrew  Doyle T.D.  formally submitting the Beef questionnaire to Vice Minister Lee Jun-Won of the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. This follows from the inspection visit by Korean officials to Ireland in May of this year and below right: Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Andrew Doyle T.D. meeting with Vice Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Mr. Yoo Moo-young.

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Date Released: 09 September 2016