Minister on food mission in US
It was the first meeting between Ms Coughlan, who is in the United States on an eight-day business development visit, and Mr Johanns.
The discussions took place as the trade talks intensify ahead of next December’s scheduled meeting in Hong Kong of ministers from the 148 World Trade Organisation (WTO) member countries.
Ms Coughlan and Mr Johanns discussed recent developments in agricultural policy in both the EU and US and their relevance to the WTO negotiations.
Outlining Ireland’s particular perspective on the agriculture dimension to the WTO, Ms Coughlan explained the recent EU reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
She also outlined the overall policy approach being pursued in the CAP, especially following the mid term review, and their impact on the EU negotiating position in the WTO.
As well as considering the up-to-date position in the negotiations, Ms Coughlan and Mr Johanns also discussed how other current policy issues in the EU and the US might influence the outcome.
A number of concerns in relation to bilateral trade issues were raised by the minister and the discussion also covered the significance of both US investment in Ireland in the areas of food and nutrition and ongoing investment by Irish agri-food companies in food-related businesses in the US.
Ms Coughlan said her aim during her first visit to the US as minister for agriculture and food was to consolidate and further develop political, investment, trade and research and development links between Ireland and the US in the sphere of agriculture, with particular emphasis on food and nutrition.
