There has been further engagement in the trade mission to the Gulf region, with the latest development being discussions surrounding Highly Pathogenetic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Earlier this week, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue and his United Arab Emirates (UAE) counterpart her excellency H.E. Mariam Al-Mheiri. McConalogue says that
The focus of the MoU was based on cooperation regarding food security. According to Minister McConalogue, government to government engagements are a key part to any trade mission for the positive exchange of views on issues of common interest.
He comments that he raised market access issues, expressing the hopes that it will be possible for the UAE to confirm that poultry meat and eggs can again be exported from counties Cavan and Monaghan.
In extending the presence of the Irish agri-food trade missions’ presence in the UAE, it’s understood that Minister McConalogue had opened a Bord Bia celebration of Irish food at the Irish pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2020. He says that the theme of Ireland’s participation at the Expo is ‘Island of Inspiration’, and adds that he can see that spirit of inspiration and creativity reflected in the Irish food producers.
Global business development director at Bord Bia, Ailish Forde says at the Gulfood trade show and meetings, customers of Irish food and drinks showed a strong interest in Ireland’s food offering, particularly in the industry approach to sustainability through the Origin Green Programme.
LSL News.