Trade mission to US and Mexico a ‘vital part of Ireland’s Brexit response’

AN IRISH agri-food trade mission to the US and Mexico has been billed as a “vital part of Ireland’s Brexit response” by the Agriculture Minister Michael Creed.

The trade delegation led by the minister departed over the weekend to visit Maryland, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Chicago and Mexico City over seven days.

“This trade mission is a great opportunity to strengthen our existing market presence in the United States, to deepen the existing footprint of the Irish food sector in Mexico, and establish a platform to develop new market opportunities for Irish beef and pigmeat there,” Mr Creed said. The Irish delegation will meet key officials in the Trump administration including Ray Starling, a presidential advisor on agriculture and trade.

The minister will also meet Senator Pat Roberts, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, along with senior officials in the USDA. The delegation will also meet key meat, dairy, beverage and agri-industry representatives.

In Mexico, the minister’s itinerary will include meetings with the Mexican Secretary for Agriculture, José Eduardo Calzada Rovirosa, and with Sub Secretary for Trade, Juan Carlos Baker Pineda.

“We will also be seeking approval from the USDA for our eight marketing claims for Irish beef which were audited by the USDA last week. Approval would allow us and our customers to integrate the claims within our US strategy and use the USDA seal on products and in store,” Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy explained.

“In Mexico we will be engaging with meat industry representatives in advance of access for pigmeat and beef, to ensure we are well positioned when the market is opened, as well as meeting drinks and dairy buyers,” she added.

The US is a major importer of Irish agri-food products which, in 2016, were valued at more than €1bn. Exports to Mexico were worth €52.6m.