Donegal Minister and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, T.D., will this week lead a major agri-food trade mission to the United States.
The five-day itinerary takes place in cooperation with Bord Bia, while Minister of State Martin Heydon T.D. will lead engagements in Texas and Mexico. The USA was Ireland’s 2nd largest destination for Agri-food exports in 2021, with exports totalling approximately €1.3 billion.
To begin, McConalogue announced that an agreement has been reached for full access for Irish sheepmeat to the US.
Securing agreement on a bilateral health certificate allows Irish sheep meat plants to formally apply for approval to export to the US. It builds on the publication last December of a USDA rule which removed restrictions on exports of most sheep and goat products from the EU.
Minister McConalogue said: “This agreement provides full access for Irish sheepmeat to the US market. It marks another welcome move in the diversification of overseas markets for Irish sheepmeat in line with the Food Vision 2030 goal of accessing and developing new market opportunities in priority markets. It is the result of diligent work by my officials and the Embassy of Ireland in Washington DC, following the lifting last December of the US ban on EU sheep meat exports. The speedy agreement on certification conditions comes after many years of preparatory work; in particular, UDSA recognition in 2019 of the equivalence Ireland’s sheepmeat inspection system with US domestic standards. It is, therefore, very much a testament to the high standards and reputation of Irish sheep farming. Our sheep farmers are world class producing a safe, sustainable and healthy product that is in demand in markets across the globe.
Minister McConalogue continued: “It is now up to industry working with my Department to apply for and complete the plant approval process, over the coming months. I hope to see exporters take advantage of this niche opportunity as soon as possible. In the meantime, I will use this Trade Mission to raise the profile of Irish grass-fed lamb in the US and promote awareness of it as a premium natural product.”
Speaking ahead of the Trade Mission, Minister McConalogue said: “I greatly look forward to this important Trade Mission. The United States is a key market for Irish agri-food exports, with exports valued at €1.3 Billion last year. Meeting with Secretary for Agriculture Vilsack and other key players from Government and Congress is vital, in maintaining our already excellent relations with the US. I am also eager to take part in our joint event with the World Bank on Sustainable Food Systems, particularly in the context of the Ukraine Crisis.”
